Nominees Will Bolster Transportation Safety, Rail Competition 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Committee nominations hearing, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) commended Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford for taking necessary precautions to keep the flying public safe in light of staffing shortages caused by Senate Democrats’ having shut down the federal government.

Sen. Cruz also praised the experience and voiced his support for the three transportation nominees before the Committee: Mr. John DeLeeuw, nominee to serve on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Cruz called him an experienced pilot who has spent his entire career focused on aviation safety. Leaders from the aviation industry, including airlines and pilot associations, have endorsed Mr. DeLeeuw’s nomination, saying his background as a military and commercial pilot, top safety executive, and involvement in accident investigations make him highly qualified to serve at NTSB. See a sampling of statements of support for Mr. DeLeeuw here.

Sen. Cruz also highlighted the qualifications of the two Surface Transportation Board (STB) nominees. Mr. Richard Kloster has over four decades of railroad and transportation logistics experience, including working for railroads, shippers, and rail suppliers. Ms. Michelle Schultz, who has been renominated by President Trump to continue serving on the STB, brings decades of legal and transportation experience, and as a member of the STB has been diligent in reviewing cases and open to stakeholder input. Both Mr. Kloster and Ms. Schultz are well qualified to oversee the often complex railroad economic regulations at the STB.

Here are Sen. Cruz’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Today, we’ll hear from three nominees: John DeLeeuw, nominee to serve as a board member of the National Transportation Safety Board; Richard Kloster, nominee to serve as a member of the Surface Transportation Board; and Michelle Schultz, nominee to continue to serve as a member of the Surface Transportation Board.  

“Congratulations to each of you. 

“Before I introduce the nominees, I want to spend a moment reflecting on the unprecedented impacts the continued government shutdown is having on Americans’ lives.  Almost a month ago, CNN quoted a senior Democratic aide as saying Senate Democrats wouldn’t reopen the government short of ‘planes falling out of the sky.’ Senate Democrats seem to want to put that theory to test. 

“Yesterday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced that beginning tomorrow morning, there will be a ten percent reduction in flights at forty airports across the country.  

“The safety data the FAA relies on to keep the system safe was blinking red.  There’s too many key staffers calling out because they’re not getting paid and having to save every penny and find ways to make ends meet. 

“Tens of thousands of Americans will have their flights cancelled every day, due solely to Senate Democrats, with a few notable exceptions, having taken the government and the air traffic control system hostage. 

“Air traffic controllers are unpaid and fatigued.  A plane crashed in Louisville this week and the NTSB investigators on scene are not getting paid.  The impacts of this shutdown are real and becoming dangerous. 

“Now, I’ll turn to today’s nominees. 

“Let’s begin with John DeLeeuw. A proud Texan of nearly 40 years, Mr. DeLeeuw is an accomplished safety professional and airline captain who began his aviation career in the Air Force flying C-130 Hercules planes supporting combat missions in Desert Storm.  After his military service, Mr. DeLeeuw joined American Airlines as a line captain and first officer in 1991.   

“After twenty-plus years of flying for American, he then led the airline’s safety initiatives for more than a decade.   

“He also served as chairman of the American Pilots’ Association’s National Safety Committee and teaches aviation safety courses at the University of Southern California.  As I have seen from the investigation into the crash of Flight 5342 near DCA, the NTSB needs knowledgeable and experienced members to keep our transportation systems safe.   

“Mr. DeLeeuw will draw on his extensive aviation safety background to investigate accidents and propose recommendations to prevent future harm.  He is — without a doubt — one of the most decorated and qualified individuals to come before us.  His resume is a perfect match for the NTSB.  

“We are also joined by NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy in the audience this morning.  I appreciate her being here.  As she said about Mr. DeLeeuw’s nomination back in September: ‘John has an extensive background in aviation safety and has worked alongside the NTSB for decades.  He often uses lessons learned to improve safety throughout transportation, including oil and pipelines and maritime.  John will be an excellent addition to the Board, if confirmed.’ 

“Next, we have Richard Kloster to serve on the STB.  Mr. Kloster is a seasoned railroad and transportation logistics professional with over four decades of private sector experience.  He has worked for several railroads, including the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company and the Indiana Rail Road Company.   

“Mr. Kloster also founded his own transportation consulting firm and served as a board member of the Railway Supply Institute.  If confirmed, Mr. Kloster will utilize his extensive knowledge of the rail industry, as well as his experience working for railroads, suppliers, and shippers, to advance the STB’s economic oversight of freight railroads.  

“Lastly, President Trump has renominated Michelle Schultz to continue to serve on the STB.  Ms. Schultz’s decades of legal and transportation experience have served her well on the STB.   

“Prior to joining STB in January 2021, she spent 14 years leading legislative affairs and legal strategy at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the nation’s sixth largest public transportation system.  As vice chairman of the STB, Ms. Schultz has prioritized engaging with stakeholders to improve freight rail service quality and efficiency at the agency.  If confirmed, she will continue to be a diligent, thoughtful member of the STB, working to advance essential oversight of the railroads.  

“While my Democrat colleagues have sought to delay and derail this hearing based on the President’s exercise of his Article II power, the focus of today should be plain and simple: supporting transportation safety and rail competition.  The three individuals before us have a breadth of knowledge in transportation safety and railroad operations and are well-equipped to serve on the NTSB and STB.  

“I’m eager to hear how each of you will approach your roles in ensuring the overall strength and safety of our country’s transportation systems.”

###