Top federal highway safety official to resign amid GOP opposition to her anti-gas vehicle views

The top federal highway safety official will step down next week in an unexpected move after heavy Republican opposition to her support of regulations on gas-powered vehicles, among other things. 

Transportation Department National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acting administrator Ann Carlson will step down from her position Dec. 26 and formally leave the agency at the end of January, Fox News reported Saturday, citing an internal memo from the agency. 

"Ann has been a tremendous leader — her time as Acting Administrator of NHTSA was time limited under the Vacancies Reform Act," a Transportation Department spokesperson said. "She is returning to her previous role of senior advisor and Chief Counsel for one month to assist with the transition." 

Republicans were opposed to Carlson because of her previous climate activism and support for regulating gas-powered vehicles. When she was up for a vote to permanently lead the safety agency, Senate Republicans heavily scrutinized comments she made about her role with the Biden administration and her previous private sector work advising plaintiffs on climate lawsuits. 

Her nomination was withdrawn in May, but she remained acting agency administrator. 

"As Senate Republicans pointed out repeatedly, Ann Carlson was serving as acting administrator contrary to the law," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital after Carlson's resignation was announced. "Her attempts to hijack this safety agency by rewriting auto fuel economy standards into an unpopular de facto EV mandate should not stand as a result of her illegal appointment."

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