Senate committee slates meeting for Chao's nomination

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will hold a Jan. 11 hearing on President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Elaine Chao to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Chao served as labor secretary under President George W. Bush from 2001 through 2009, and as deputy transportation secretary under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1991.

She has a "distinguished record of serving the nation, and has already has shown she can work effectively with members on both sides of the aisle," said U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) in a press release. Thune will convene the committee's nomination hearing.

In her nomination questionnaire, Chao said her priorities as transportation secretary would include expediting the infrastructure repair process.

"With or without a new infusion of funds, it is necessary to look at the existing processes for infrastructure development and find more efficient ways to address bottlenecks in planning and permitting," Chao wrote.