Smooth going for LaHood's first road test

It was a lovefest for former U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood at a confirmation hearing on his appointment as transportation secretary before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Wednesday.

The longtime Republican congressman from Peoria got rave reviews from most lawmakers, although Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill pressured him on earmarks.

LaHood, former member of the Appropriations and Transportation and Infrastructure committees, has secured millions in earmarks over the years earning him dubious honors such as Porker of the Month from Citizens Against Government Waste.

"President Obama has made it clear in his economic stimulus bill there will be no earmark money," LaHood told McCaskill, adding it's up to members of Congress to police the earmark process. Referring to the upcoming highway reauthorization bill, historically a repository of pork, he noted, "if it doesn't have one earmark it won't cost me any heartburn."

The priorities of the U.S. Department of Transportation, LaHood told senators, should be safety, fixing existing infrastructure and building new projects that are energy-efficient

"I want to focus on people and communities," he said. "We should invest in ways that respect the unique character of each community. The era of one-size-fits-all must give way."

With the Federal Aviation Administration lacking a permanent chief, LaHood promised to focus on finding a talented leader.

"We need someone who will help us out with disputes between controllers and the agency," he said, referring to protracted labor issues.

Former Transportation Secretary Mary Peters supported expanding tolls to pay for construction projects and auctioning off gate slots at New York airports to increase competition.

LaHood criticized the auctioning proposal, noting it "didn't make sense."

Regarding tolls, LaHood said in order to fund the bankrupt Highway Trust Fund "we do have to think outside the box. Part of that is the idea that in trying to build or add lanes or additional roadways, tolls would pay for part of that."

But he disagreed with slapping tolls on existing roads or highways.

LaHood also strongly backed Amtrak, calling it "the lifeblood for many communities."

He also promised to push ahead with implementing a new law increasing fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles. The Bush administration ran out of time to write new rules for the policy.

LaHood has come under fire for ties to William Cellini, the former associate of disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich who pleaded innocent to conspiracy charges in November. But committee Chairman John Rockefeller said an FBI report on LaHood was "sparkling clean."

The full Senate is also expected to confirm the nomination.