Senators warm to transportation nominee

President Barack Obama's nominee for transportation secretary is getting a friendly reception from senators of both parties laced with warnings that the nation needs to make a host of transportation improvements with no clear way to pay for them.

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx told a jammed Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday he will look for "partners" in local and state government to help find creative ways to finance air, rail and highway improvements. At the same time, he steered clear of controversy.

Foxx's reception from Republicans lawmakers was unusually warm.

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, predicted Foxx's nomination will be "noncontroversial." But he noted senators from both parties were well represented at the hearing because "everybody we work for" are "totally dependent on the things he is (going to be) responsible for."