COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, UNITED STATES SENATE NINETY-SEVENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION ON NOMINATION OF REESE H. TAYLOR, JR., TO BE CHAIRMAN, INTERSTATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION BOB PACKWOOD, Oregon, Chairman BARRY GOLDWATER, Arizona HOWARD W. CANNON, Nevada ERNEST F. HOLLINGS, South Carolina WILLIAM M. DIEFENDERFER, Chief Counsel Questions of the committee and the answers thereto Answers to additional questions of minority committee members......... NOMINATION-CHAIRMAN, INTERSTATE TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1981 U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION, Washington, D.C. The committee met at 10 a.m., in room 235 of the Russell Senate Office Building; Hon. Bob Packwood (chairman of the committee) presiding. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will come to order, please. We will proceed with the hearing on the nomination of Reese Taylor to be Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission. I would like to read a statement for the record from Senator Laxalt who, as you know, Mr. Taylor, cannot be here this morning, but wanted to introduce you. Senator Cannon, why don't you go ahead and make your statement first and then I will read a statement from Senator Laxalt, who cannot be here. OPENING STATEMENT BY SENATOR CANNON Senator CANNON. Thank you very much. Senator Laxalt was not able to be here, and requested that I introduce Reese Taylor. I am pleased to have this opportunity to introduce a fellow Nevadan for an important position in the Federal Government, Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Mr. Chairman, Reese Taylor comes before us as a nominee with exceptional qualifications. He is thoroughly familiar with the regulatory processes from both sides, as a practitioner and as a regulator. Reese will not have to learn on the job and that is particularly important at this time, when the Commission is in the process of implementing major rail and motor carrier legislation enacted last year. The job will not be an easy one. A number of important proceedings are awaiting final decision. Key transportation issues must be resolved, and resolved quickly. I am gratified that Reese Taylor's written responses indicate an intent to follow closely the agency's statutory mandates and the intent of Congress in implementing the new legislation. One difficulty he may face is that the intent of Congress is not always as clear as it should be. The legislative process is one of compromise and often the law is left more vague than we would like in an effort to accommodate all concerned. The ICC Chairman is not likely to be criticized by this committee for implementation which is in accordance with the declared con |