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Former Dutchess County Executive and U.S. Congressman Marc Molinaro has been confirmed as the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The U.S. Senate approved his nomination on Saturday (August 2) with a 71-23 vote, despite opposition from New York Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer. Molinaro, a Republican, was nominated by President Donald Trump to oversee the FTA, which manages a $20 billion annual budget for public transit systems across the nation.
Molinaro brings extensive experience to the role. He began his political career at 18 as the Mayor of Tivoli, becoming the youngest mayor in the United States at the time. He served multiple terms in the Dutchess County Legislature and the New York State Assembly before being elected as Dutchess County Executive in 2011. Molinaro held the position for three terms, during which he launched initiatives like the ThinkDIFFERENTLY campaign to promote inclusion for individuals with disabilities.
In 2021, Molinaro was elected to Congress, representing New York's 19th District, but lost his re-election bid in 2023. As the new head of the FTA, Molinaro aims to support and modernize public transportation systems, ensuring they are safe, accessible, and efficient. He expressed gratitude to President Trump and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for their trust in his leadership.
The FTA plays a crucial role in funding and overseeing public transit systems, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York. Molinaro's appointment is expected to influence the future of public transportation in the United States significantly.