Members of Congress, Cabinet and high level U.S. officials visit hometown Auto Show
It wouldnêt be the Public Policy Show without visits from Members of Congress and the Administration. As he has for the past two years, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz spoke on Industry/Media Day about increasing fuel efficiency, vehicle electrification and alternative fuel vehicles. After his remarks, he toured the show with members of his staff, stopping to see such AFVs as the Honda Clarity fuel cell. NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind also spoke on Industry/Media Day and was particularly interested in the advanced safety technologies on display at the show.
Coming from Capitol Hill, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-FL) and Sen. John Thune (R-SD) came to tour the show. Thune came in his capacity as chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Coming up on the committeeês agenda: consideration of automakersê request for space on the telecommunications spectrum for connected and autonomous cars to communicate with each other and with surrounding infrastructure.
Thune also enjoyed himself at the show, sitting in the Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Silverado (which he parodied the Chevrolet ad praising the vehicle to be like a rock!) and ogling a Ford Mustang convertible.
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) was a prominent visitor at Washingtonês Auto Show as well.
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