Senate Commerce Committee favorably reports two DOT nominations; Bradbury advances on 15–13 roll call

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, meeting in executive session, on March 6 considered two Department of Transportation personnel matters and voted to report both nominations favorably to the full Senate.

The committee approved the promotion of Coast Guard Lieutenant Samuel B. Hafenstiner (PN10) to lieutenant commander by voice vote and ordered the nomination of Stephen Bradbury (PN13-2) to be deputy secretary of transportation reported favorably after a roll-call vote that the clerk recorded as 15 yeses and 13 noes.

Why this matters: The deputy secretary post is the department’s second-highest political office and helps shape policy and regulatory priorities across federal transportation modes. Committee consideration and a favorable report send a nominee to the full Senate for final confirmation and reflect whether lawmakers broadly support a nominee’s approach to safety and enforcement.

Committee debate and concerns

Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, speaking during the hearing, urged colleagues to oppose Bradbury’s nomination, citing his past service at the Department of Transportation and the committee’s investigation into the Boeing MAX crashes. Cantwell said families of the MAX crashes had expressed concern about documents withheld during prior oversight and that Bradbury had, in her view, failed to provide clear examples where conflicts of interest could arise. “I urge my colleagues to oppose Mr. Bradbury’s nomination,” Cantwell said.

Other senators spoke in favor of Bradbury’s confirmation at the committee level, arguing his prior experience as general counsel at DOT gives him knowledge of departmental systems and past regulatory efforts. The committee chair said Bradbury’s background would be “invaluable” in addressing aviation safety and infrastructure priorities and urged colleagues to support the nomination.

Votes at a glance

- PN10 — Samuel B. Hafenstiner, promotion to lieutenant commander (U.S. Coast Guard): Moved by Senator Maria Cantwell; second not specified; approved by voice vote. Outcome: favorably reported to the Senate.

- PN13-2 — Stephen Bradbury, nomination to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation: Moved by Senator Roger Wicker; second not specified; roll-call vote recorded as 15 yes, 13 no. Outcome: favorably reported to the Senate.

What the committee did not do

The committee recorded its disposition (favorable reports) and concluded its executive session. A favorable report does not constitute final Senate confirmation; both nominations must still be acted on by the full Senate.

Procedural notes

The committee proceeded from an initial roll call and formal motions to the favorable reports. The clerk recorded the roll-call votes for PN13-2 and announced the tally as 15 yeses and 13 noes before the chair ordered the nomination reported favorably. No amendments or additional conditions were recorded in the executive session minutes.