In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Senate Commerce Committee dispensed with the formality of a confirmation hearing and favorably reported to the full Senate the nomination of Joseph Clapp to be administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Clapp, former chairman of Roadway, has been working in FMCSA offices as a consultant since Bush nominated him in July. Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, which opposes Clapp’s nomination, objected to approval without a hearing. Also, the committee and the full senate approved the nomination of Marion Blakely as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board.
