Six nominees to transportation-related agencies were confirmed by the U.S. Senate via unanimous consent Jan. 2, including three Railroad Retirement Board members.
Johnathan Bragg, Thomas Jayne and Erhard R. Chorle were all confirmed to the RRB.
Bragg, the labor member of the board and national vice president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), will complete a term that expires this August and then commence a five-year term. Chorle, an Illinois attorney, will serve as RRB chairman with his term expiring in August 2022, and Thomas Jayne, a senior general attorney for BNSF, will represent management for a term that expires in August 2023.
Two vacancies on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) were also filled with the confirmations of Patrick Fuchs, who was a senior staff member of the Senate Commerce Committee, reporting to Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), and Martin J. Oberman, a former chairman of Metra, as members. They each will serve five-year terms. The board now will have three of its five seats filled.
Finally, Joel Szabat was confirmed as the federal DOT’s Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs.
Related News
- FRA Expands Bridge Safety Oversight
- Rep. Lawler’s Transit Funding Flexibility Act of 2025 receives SMART-TD Endorsement
- Join Railroaders from Across the Country for Houston Rail Labor Solidarity Rally!
- Registration Open for Atlanta Regional Training Seminar
- 2025 Labor Day Message from SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson
- Announcing the Winners of our 2025 Local Pride T-Shirt Contest!
- STATEMENT: SMART-TD Condemns Unprecedented Removal of STB Member Robert Primus
- Automation Protection Headlines New Contract for Local 1707
- What Website Resources Are Most Important to You? Send Us Your Suggestions
- Local 1258 Earns an “A” for Inaugural Backpack Drive