Senate panel approves deputy Transportation secretary nominee

Kirk Van Tine, whose nomination as deputy secretary of the Transportation Department has been vigorously opposed by the Federal Express Corp., breezed through his confirmation hearing Tuesday without a direct mention of FedEx's concerns about him.

The only hint of controversy during the Senate Commerce Committee's hearing came in an oblique exchange from Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss. Lott urged Van Tine, who served as general counsel of the Transportation Department until August, to use his "diplomatic skills" more than his legal skills in his new post.

FedEx has publicly protested Van Tine's nomination, with Executive Vice President Kenneth Masterson complaining that "he has not been even-handed, open-minded or objective in his interaction with the aviation industry."

For his part, Van Tine acknowledged that as general counsel he was the chief advocate of the department.

"I think the deputy Transportation secretary performs a different role," Van Tine said, adding that one of his jobs will be to resolve differences and reach consensus.

Commerce Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., promised quick action on Van Tine's nomination.