49 C.F.R. § 1.46
The Director of Public Affairs is the principal advisor to the Secretary and Secretarial Officers on public affairs issues and the final authority on public affairs issues within the Department. The Office of Public Affairs prepares news releases and supporting media materials, and maintains a new media presence. The Office also provides information to the Secretary on opinions and reactions of the public and news media on programs and transportation issues. The Office of Public Affairs is responsible for the supervision, coordination, and review of the activities of the public affairs offices within the Operating Administrations. The Director of Public Affairs participates with each Administrator in the hiring decisions (other than in the Federal Aviation Administration) and performance reviews of all of the Operating Administrations' Directors of Public Affairs.
49 C.F.R. §1.46