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Former Hudson Valley Congressman Marc Molinaro is back on Capitol Hill today (March 27) as he appears before a United States Senate committee. President Donald Trump has nominated Molinaro to lead the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), a division of the Department of Transportation. Molinaro, who previously served one term representing New York's 19th Congressional District, will answer questions from the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee during the hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
Molinaro's nomination is expected to proceed smoothly through the Senate, with many anticipating his confirmation. As reported by the New York Daily News, Molinaro is seen as a candidate who could bring increased accountability and transparency to the FTA, particularly in managing how billions of dollars are spent on transit projects.
During his political career, Molinaro has been a vocal opponent of congestion pricing, aligning with the views of President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. However, congestion pricing approvals fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Highway Administration, not the FTA. Molinaro's focus, if confirmed, will likely be on ensuring public access to Project Management Oversight Contractor reports, which detail the progress of major transit projects.
Molinaro previously ran for governor of New York in 2018 but was defeated by Andrew Cuomo. His return to Capitol Hill marks a new chapter in his political career, with significant responsibilities ahead if confirmed as the Federal Transit Administrator.