Charlotte mayor Anthony Foxx says he will formally resign his position as the city's mayor after he was unanimously voted in as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
The US Senate confirmed Foxx as the nation's next transportation secretary in a vote of 100 in favor and none opposed at noon onThursday. The President was immediately notified.
"I am pleased that the Senate today voted unanimously to confirm Anthony Foxx as the next Secretary of Transportation," President Barack Obama released in a statement on Thursday afternoon.
"Anthony knows firsthand that investing in our roads, bridges and transit systems is vital to creating good jobs and ensuring American businesses can grow and compete in a 21st century global economy," he continued. "I welcome Anthony to my team, and I look forward to working with him as we aim to modernize the infrastructure that powers our economy."
After Foxx was confirmed by the Senate, North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan posted her congratulations to him on Twitter.
"Pleased the Senate has unanimously confirmed Mayor Foxx to become our next Secretary of Transportation. A proud day for NC," she tweeted. "Bipartisan vote indicative of Foxx's status as champion of transportation & infrastructure development that fuels economic growth."
Committee chair Senator Jay Rockefeller kicked off the vote in the Senate just after 11:30 a.m. Roll call began almost immediately due to the fact that there were no opposing speeches.
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, the majority leader, took a break from debating the immigration reform bill and hold a confirmation vote on Mayor Foxx.
The vote comes 60 days after the President nominated Foxx for the position to lead the US Department of Transportation.
Foxx sent a letter out to city council members and staff Thursday afternoon calling a special meeting at 4 p.m. on Monday, July 1st where he will formally resign his position as mayor of Charlotte.
The mayor also plans to discuss transition plans for a successor until a new mayor is elected in November.
Sen. Kay Hagan spoke on the Senate floor earlier in the morning - listing off Mayor Foxx's accomplishments while in Charlotte. Chief among them was the Lynx Blue Line and the growth and expansion at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
"Today is a proud day for all North Carolinians and a positive step for our nation as we continue the important work of rebuilding our infrastructure," Hagan said in a release after Foxx was confirmed.
"I am pleased that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle could come together to unanimously confirm Mayor Foxx, a true champion of transportation and infrastructure development with a proven record of making smart investments that fuel economic growth. Jobs are my number one priority, and I have full confidence that Anthony will approach this new job with an eye for how we can grow our economy as we update our nation's infrastructure.? Though he will be missed in North Carolina, I am eagerly anticipating the strong leadership he will bring to the Department of Transportation."
"I would also take this opportunity to thank outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for his service," her statement continued. "I was honored to have Secretary LaHood join my transportation roundtable in Charlotte several years ago, and it was abundantly clear that his expertise and passion for keeping our nation's infrastructure updated is unparalleled. In particular, he is to be commended for his willingness to put politics in service to our country. His example of bipartisanship should be followed more often, and I wish Secretary LaHood the best in his next steps."
Amtrak Chairman Tony Coscia and President/CEO Joe Boardman issued a statement after Foxx's confirmation, as well.
"Amtrak congratulates Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx on his confirmation today by the U.S. Senate.? He will play a pivotal role in providing critical federal investments for advancing intercity and high-speed passenger rail projects that enhance service, improve reliability, expand capacity, reduce trip-times and increase speeds.
"We also welcome Secretary Foxx to the Amtrak board of directors where he will help shape the future of America's Railroad and further improve our record-breaking financial and operational performance.
"As a former mayor of Charlotte, N.C., an Amtrak-served community, we believe Secretary Foxx understands that intercity passenger rail is a vital and necessary part of the national transportation network and provides mobility, connectivity, and economic development across America in rural communities, small and medium sized towns, and major cities.
"The Amtrak family welcomes Secretary Foxx aboard and we look forward to working with him to deliver more and better intercity and high-speed passenger rail service to the nation."
The US Senate Committee on Commerce, Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing in May and approved the mayor's nomination earlier this month with bipartisan support.
The mayor promised lawmakers at his hearing that he would work across party lines in his new position and work on continuing a multimodal approach to the nation's transportation network like his predecessor, Secretary Ray LaHood has.
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