While several of President Trump’s cabinet nominees may have received more attention, former congressman Sean Duffy was confirmed in a 77-22 bipartisan vote to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation as secretary.
Duffy, a Republican, represented the Seventh Congressional District in northwest and central Wisconsin following the 2010 election and was re-elected four times, resigning in 2019 due to family health issues. In his confirmation hearing, he emphasized his intention to improve travel safety.
Within 48 hours, he inherited the aftermath of the horrific mid-air collision of a passenger jet and an Army helicopter over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport.
U.S. DOT employs 55,000 people and spends tens of billions of dollars annually, overseeing the nation’s highways, railroads and airspace and setting safety standards for trains, cars and trucks.