Senate confirms Sean Duffy As Transportation Secretary

The News

On January 28, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed former Wisconsin Representative Sean Duffy as the new Secretary of Transportation with a bipartisan vote of 77-22.

Duffy, 53, will oversee the Department of Transportation, which employs over 55,000 individuals and manages a budget exceeding $110 billion.

Timeline

• November 18, 2024: President Donald Trump announced Sean Duffy as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation.

• January 15, 2025: Duffy appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for his confirmation hearing, where he emphasized the need for unified federal regulations for autonomous vehicles to maintain U.S. competitiveness, particularly against China.

• January 22, 2025: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously approved Duffy's nomination, moving it to the full Senate.

• January 28, 2025: The Senate confirmed Duffy's nomination with a 77-22 vote.

Reactions

• President Donald Trump: Praised Duffy's confirmation, stating, "Sean's leadership will be instrumental in rebuilding our nation's infrastructure and ensuring the safety of our transportation systems."

• Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI): Expressed support for Duffy, highlighting his bipartisan efforts in securing federal funding for infrastructure projects.

• Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX: Congratulated Duffy on his confirmation and emphasized the importance of clear federal guidelines for the advancement of autonomous vehicle technology.

What’s Next

As Secretary of Transportation, Duffy plans to prioritize enhancing the safety of Boeing aircraft, reducing regulatory burdens, and supporting the development of self-driving cars in the U.S.

He has emphasized the need for unified federal rules for autonomous vehicles to keep pace with global competition, particularly from China.

Duffy also intends to address ongoing investigations into Tesla's safety features, ensuring impartial and thorough reviews.