Senate Confirms LaHood as Transportation Secretary

Former Rep. Ray LaHood won Senate confirmation Thursday as President Obama's Transportation secretary.

The Illinois Republican was confirmed by voice vote a day after the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee sent his nomination straight to the floor without a vote.

LaHood, a moderate popular with colleagues, brings a bipartisan flavor to the Obama cabinet that could be valuable in negotiating transportation spending in the economic stimulus bill (HR 598) as well as a new surface transportation authorization this year.

LaHood has come under fire from some taxpayer groups for a track record of defending earmarks while serving in the House. Taxpayers for Common Sense ranks him among the top 10 percent of House members in earmark spending.

But he testified at his confirmation hearing Wednesday that he is comfortable with Obama’s call to rein in earmarks. The president has called for no earmarks in the stimulus package and a reduction in overall lawmaker-directed spending to 1994 levels.

Src:http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003016296

About Ray LaHood:

Raymond H. "Ray" LaHood (born December 6, 1945) is the incumbent United States Secretary of Transportation and a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives. He is well-known, especially among C-SPAN viewers, as the presiding officer of more debates than any other member. Most notably, he presided over the impeachment vote against President Bill Clinton. On December 19, 2008, President Barack Obama announced his intention to nominate LaHood to serve as the next Secretary of Transportation, a controversial appointment. His Senate committee confirmation hearing, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2009, had to be postponed because of what a Senate aide said was a delay in processing needed paperwork.His Senate committee hearing was rescheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2009, where he was confirmed by acclamation.

For more information about Ray LaHood just check here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_LaHood