With the changeover from President Obama’s first term to his second term, there have, unsurprisingly, been just a few departures. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood could be a type of leaving the President’s cabinet for the second one term.

LaHood has overseen the passing of diverse new safety regulations for both the automotive and aviation industries. Most notable was his work with automakers to introduce new fuel economy standards, rest times for commercial airline pilots, and was integral through the hearings over Toyota’s unintended acceleration cases. He also has worked to begin regulations on hands-free phone usage and a new mandate requiring backup cameras, to aid prevent pedestrian injury. LaHood also led the new Federal Aviation Administration’s investigation of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fires.

The Free Press expects Obama to nominate considered one of three people to interchange LaHood: “Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; the present chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board Debbie Hersman, or Representative Jim Oberstar of Minnesota, who led the home Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.”

LaHood announced that he’ll stay in his position until the Senate confirms his replacement, that is estimated to take around two months. He’ll join Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in leaving the President’s cabinet this year.

Read LaHood’s full statement here.

Source: Detroit Free Press, DOT