WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democrats on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, sharply questioned President Trump’s nominees for Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors, General Counsel of the Department of Commerce (DOC) and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service.

Democrats drilled down on the Administration's clear and present danger to the safety of America’s railways, and the erosion of public trust amid the chaos that has overtaken the Department of Commerce since Secretary Lutnick arrived. The disconnect between the responsibilities of the jobs and the empty statements and actions from the men nominated to fill them became clear as the hearing progressed.

The nominees failed to provide answers to basic questions about issues of importance to Senators, refused to comment on Trump Administration actions to dismantle programs and policies created by Congress, and lacked candor about their own records and how they would lead decision-making in their respective roles.   

Below are highlights from today’s exchanges with the nominees, and links to the full exchange for each Senator:

As part of his questioning, Senator Gary Peters (Mich.) asked a simple question of Pierre Gentin, nominated to be General Counsel of the DOC: “Is it legal for the Administration to simply cancel funding for authorized and fully appropriated programs put into law by the U.S. Congress?” The answer he received was not on point. [VIDEO]

Senator Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) also had specific questions about the power of the purse for Mr. Gentin, specifically regarding the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program and the Digital Equity grant program: “…without input from Congress, is it legal for the Administration to simply cancel funding for authorized and fully appropriated programs put into law by the U.S. Congress? Again, Mr. Gentin dodged the question. [VIDEO]  

Senator Tammy Baldwin (Wisc.) asked about the role of DOGE at the Department of Commerce and what he had witnessed as Senior Advisor to Secretary Lutnick. He offered to know little about actions taken at the Department, although he did reveal that he attended a newly uncovered White House meeting with Elon Musk – to discuss what?  We don’t know. She also asked David Fink, nominated to be Administrator of the FRA, about Pan Am Railroad’s well-documented safety failures, and how that history made him a good candidate for the job of leading safety for the nation’s railroads. [VIDEO]

Senator Ben Ray Lujan (N.M.) again grilled Mr. Gentin on his understanding of Congress’ role in authorizing and appropriating funding for programs, including in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To this question, Gentin stunningly claimed he had never heard of the law nor what programs it included.  The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is one of the most consequential bipartisan laws in modern history. [VIDEO]  

In addition to asking Robert Gleason, Trump’s nominee for a Director on the Amtrak Board of Directors, how Amtrak was supposed to handle increasing ridership and a shrinking workforce without sacrificing safety or customer service, Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.) pressed Mr. Gentin repeatedly about the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Minority Business Development Agency, and given his current position as a senior advisor to Secretary Lutnick, why the Department is stonewalling Committee Democrats’ push to get answers on MBDA. She also questioned why Mr. Gentin was so unprepared to address what appears to be a broken promise by Secretary Lutnick.  [VIDEO]

Senator Andy Kim (N.J.) asked Mr. Gleason about the current state of Amtrak, and what the future might hold under his potential leadership. And he asked Mr. Fink about the mission of the FRA (safety) and asked for his support in preventing service disruptions in the very busy NE Corridor.  [VIDEO]

Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (Wash.) spoke to Mr. Gentin about the serious risks to national security if spectrum auctions are not properly coordinated between Federal agencies. And she sought to understand the circumstances behind Mr. Fink being fined and convicted for improper reporting of a 900-gallon oil spill caused by his railroad. Sen. Cantwell: [VIDEO]

Senator Tammy Duckworth (Ill.) discussed with Mr. Fink the crucial role that Chicago plays in both freight and passenger rail service and received a commitment to keep grant money for important projects flowing, including the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency program, which is essential to improving the flow of rail traffic. [VIDEO]

Senator Ed Markey’s (Mass.) efforts to elicit a clear answer from Mr. Gentin — a seasoned attorney — on whether it is legal to terminate state formula grant awards that are a faithful execution of the law passed by Congress, was, unfortunately, no more successful than his colleagues. [VIDEO]

Senator John Fetterman (Pa.) asked Mr. Gleason about expanded rail service to Reading, Pennsylvania. And referring to the East Palestine derailment, Senator Fetterman asked Mr. Fink about his support for the Railway Safety Act in the current Congress, and Mr. Fink confirmed that if the legislation passed, he would enforce the law. [VIDEO]  

A link to the full hearing is HERE.