WASHINGTON — Former Wisconsin Congressman, Sean Duffy, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Transportation Secretary, appeared before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing.

In a show of bipartisanship, both Senators from Wisconsin, Democrat Tammy Baldwin and Republican Ron Johnson, introduced him.


What You Need To Know

  • On Capitol Hill, there was bipartisan support for President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Transportation Secretary, former Wisconsin congressman and reality show contestant Sean Duffy

  • Senators spent several hours questioning Duffy about his priorities as head of the Department of Transportation

  • Senators complimented Duffy for his work as a congressman years ago to make sure the St. Croix River Bridge was built between Wisconsin and Minnesota 

  • Though votes in the committee and full Senate have not yet been scheduled, Duffy is expected to be confirmed

“We are fortunate he is willing to serve the public again,” Johnson said.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, and others praised Duffy for his work in Congress, where he served from 2011-2019, to get approval for the St. Croix River Bridge, which connects Wisconsin and Minnesota.

“​​I always tell people, ‘It's not a bridge to nowhere. It's a bridge to Wisconsin,’” Klobuchar said.

The Department of Transportation oversees the nation’s airlines, railroads and interstate highways. Duffy assured Senators from states devastated by Hurricane Helene that, if he’s confirmed by the Senate as expected, his first trip will be to survey the damage to critical infrastructure.

“We need to know that this is going to be front and center with you,” said. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee.

Duffy made several other promises, from investing in public transit, to making electric vehicle owners pay into the Highway Trust Fund as owners of gas-powered vehicles do, to increasing oversight of airline manufacturers through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Several senators said a top priority was restoring trust in Boeing, the giant manufacturer that has been forced to ground planes for safety issues ranging from a door panel blowing off mid-air to deadly crashes.

“We have to push the FAA to make sure they're implementing their safety plan,” Duffy said.

Baldwin questioned Duffy also about a new Transportation Department rule requiring the use of American products and workers in federal highway projects. Baldwin sought an assurance that Duffy would see this “Buy America” provision through as written, but he was noncommittal.

“I would like to look at it and circle back with you,” Duffy said.

After the hearing, when asked if she was concerned about his response, Baldwin said in private meetings Duffy was enthusiastic about “Buy America” rules.

“This is an area of bipartisan cooperation,” Baldwin told Spectrum News.

Past presidents have picked transportation secretaries from the other party – like George W. Bush and Norm Mineta, and Barack Obama and Ray LaHood. Duffy stressed he would work across the aisle even though he and Trump are both Republicans.

“Infrastructure is not partisan,” Duffy said.

Duffy’s resume includes appearances on two reality TV shows before entering Congress, and work as a Fox News Commentator since leaving Capitol Hill. The tone of the hearing left little reason to think he would not be confirmed.

“I thought everyone's questions were pointed and on topic, and so I hopefully will be confirmed,” Duffy said.

Confirmation votes by the committee and by the full senate have not been scheduled. But both are expected to occur relatively quickly and without any drama.

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