WASHINGTON — Media outlets report that Ron Batory is now confirmed as the Federal Railroad Administration’s administrator.

Washington media outlets Politico and the Hill report that the U.S. Senate confirmed Batory, the former Conrail Shared Assets head, along with two other nominees. U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., had held Batory’s nomination as a bargaining chip to try and regain support from President Donald Trump for new Hudson River tunnels connecting New York City and New Jersey along the Northeast Corridor.

In a statement late Tuesday, Ed Hamberger, the Association of American Railroads’ president said Batory was well qualified for the post.

“The freight railroad industry congratulates Ron Batory on his confirmation to become FRA Administrator. Ron Batory is supremely qualified to guide the FRA moving forward, equipped with years of real world experience that will surely assist him in his oversight duties,” he says. “We look forward to working with Administrator Batory in our collective mission to ensure maximum rail safety.”