Senate committee advances the nominations of Meera Joshi, Amit Bose to lead FMCSA, FRA

Washington — Meera Joshi’s nomination to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration moved closer to a Senate confirmation with a 22-6 vote by the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Oct. 20.

The committee also approved Amit Bose’s nomination for administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration in a voice vote.

Joshi was appointed deputy administrator and senior official of FMCSA on Inauguration Day. The agency hasn’t had a Senate-confirmed leader since Raymond Martinez resigned in October 2019. Jim Mullen and Wiley Deck served as acting FMCSA administrators after Martinez’s resignation.

Previously, Joshi served as chair and CEO of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.

“She spearheaded novel Vision Zero campaigns using data tools to keep high-risk drivers and unsafe vehicles off the road,” a White House press release states. “She also led landmark policy, including establishing robust open transportation data standards for app-based providers, enacting the nation’s first for-hire driver pay protection program and providing broad access to for-hire transportation for passengers who use wheelchairs.”

Bose is the deputy administrator of FRA, for which he previously served as chief counsel and senior advisor. “During those years, he guided the agency through the implementation of Positive Train Control, implementation and oversight of the $10 billion intercity passenger rail program, and alcohol and drug testing,” another White House release states.

Bose also served as associate general counsel and deputy assistant secretary for governmental affairs at the Department of Transportation during the Obama administration.