Some Senators Question Her Tenure At Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

The confirmation of Beverly Scott to an open seat on the NTSB is far from a sure thing, with one Republican senator on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, which is reviewing the selection, raising concerns about her leadership at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

The Boston Herald reports that Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) expressed concerns almost immediately after the nomination was announced. "The National Transportation Safety Board provides valued leadership by conducting investigations that ensure the safety of our nation’s travelers," Sen. Fischer told the paper. "I look forward to a careful and thorough review of Ms. Scott’s nomination to this essential agency."

Scott was nominated to a five-year term by President Obama.

Scott left the MBTA after the agency was unable to cope with an unusually snowy winter in Massachusetts. She officially stepped down from the agency in April.  David Tuerck of the Beacon Hill Institute told the Boston Herald that Scott is being rewarded for failure. He called the nomination of someone with such a poor record in Massachusetts "astonishing."

Scott was reportedly unavailable for comment.

FMI: www.commerce.senate.gov, www.ntsb.gov