Departments & agenciesView all actions on the Federal Register
Department of Transportation
DepartmentsAt-will removal
At a glance
Type
Cabinet departments
Removal of leadership
Removable at will
Appointed by
Secretary appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate
Structure
Cabinet department · led by the Secretary of Transportation
Term
No fixed term
Funding
Annual appropriations
Independence
Direct presidential control
What it does
The Department of Transportation sets national transportation policy and regulates safety across highways, aviation, railroads, transit, pipelines, and maritime shipping. It distributes federal funding for roads, bridges, airports, and transit systems and runs operating agencies such as the FAA, FHWA, and NHTSA. It oversees the carriers, builders, and travelers who use the nation's transportation networks.
TransportationInfrastructureSafety
Where it sits
How it fits
Created by Congress under the Department of Transportation Act (Pub. L. 89-670, 80 Stat. 931 (Oct. 15, 1966); now codified at 49 U.S.C. § 102), it acts within the authority that statute grants. Its actions are subject to judicial review and to congressional oversight and funding.
Recent actions
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
Airworthiness Directives; DG Aviation GmbH (Type Certificate Previously Held by DG Flugzeugbau GmbH) Gliders
Overpressure Blast Effects Analysis Burden Reducing Clarification
Lightning Hazard Mitigation Burden-Reducing Exception
Streamlining Flight Safety Analysis Methodology Means of Compliance
Digital Modernization for Licensing Electronic Application Submissions
Simplifying Physical Containment Requirements
Amendment of Domestic Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-16, V-184, and Revocation of V-284 and V-577; Eastern United States