CHC ON VICTOR MENDEZ NOMINATION

Washington, DC- Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) and Congressman Ben Ray Luján, CHC First Vice Chair and Diversity Task Force Chair (NM-03), released the following statements on President Obama’s nomination of Victor M. Mendez. Mr. Mendez is currently the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and has been nominated to serve as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Transportation. If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Mendez would become the second highest-ranking leader at the Department of Transportation, following Secretary Anthony Foxx.

“The Congressional Hispanic Caucus applauds the nomination of Victor M. Mendez as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Transportation. The CHC first supported Mr. Mendez in his selection as Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and the Caucus will proudly continue supporting him as he moves forward through this new nomination process. We applaud President Obama on the selection and congratulate Mr. Mendez on his nomination,” said CHC Chairman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15).

“Victor M. Mendez is an excellent choice for Deputy Secretary at Department of Transportation, and I applaud President Obama’s nomination. After being appointed as the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration in 2009 and then taking the position as acting Deputy Secretary last year, Mr. Mendez is well position to be a leader at the Department of Transportation. And with decades of experience working in transportation at the state and federal level, Mr. Mendez brings the knowledge and expertise needed as we make decisions about how to upgrade our infrastructure for the 21st century,” said Congressman Ben Ray Luján, CHC First Vice Chair and Diversity Task Force Chair (NM-03).

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