Week ahead: Foxx’s first full week

Foxx has not yet made any public appearances, but he has promised to pick up where LaHood left off, with a focus on safety.

“As I begin my tenure at DOT, I plan to focus on three key areas, the first of which should come as no surprise to anyone who knows this Department: safety,” Foxx wrote in a blog post the day he was sworn-in.

“As it has been for Secretary LaHood, the dedicated DOT workforce, and DOT’s many partners and stakeholders, ensuring that America’s transportation system is the safest in the world will be my top priority,” Foxx continued. “I will also focus on improving the efficiency and performance of our existing transportation system. And finally we must draw on all of our innovation and creativity to improve our future transportation system.”

While Foxx is settling into the top job at the DOT, lawmakers will tackle a bevy of transportation issues this week.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s rail subcommittee will meet on Tuesday to discuss “the role of innovative finance in intercity passenger rail.”

Additionally, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the Department of Homeland Security’s plan to establish an airport preclearance facility in Abu Dhabi.

U.S. airlines have opposed the Abu Dhabi preclearance proposal because they say it would give an advantage to foreign airlines.

Reps. Pat Meehan (R-Pa.), Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Candice Miller (R-Mich.) introduced legislation to block the DHS from establishing the Abu Dhabi facility earlier this year, citing the fact that no U.S. airlines currently serve the airport.