Sean Duffy confirmed as Trump administration's transportation secretary
The former Republican representative will return to public office with the support of both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
Sean Duffy easily passed the Senate test, with 77 votes in favor and 22 against. Lawmakers from both parties approved the former Republican representative's nomination to the Department of Transportation.
Last week, Duffy sailed through the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, receiving unanimous "yes" votes with no opposition.
"He embodies the revolution of common sense," Senator Ted Cruz told his colleagues before the vote. The Texan highlighted the broad support received by the nominee, from both parties and from more than 60 stakeholders, spanning sectors such as airlines, railroads, and energy providers.
Duffy will head an agency with a budget of more than $100 billion and more than 55,000 employees. The agency oversees the nation's highways, railroads and airspace, as well as setting safety standards for transportation.
During his confirmation hearing he promised to fix the shortage in air traffic controllers, help renew confidence in aircraft manufacturer Boeing, rebuild infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Helene and form a united front with the presidency to move forward a legislative proposal in response to the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
"No federal agency impacts Americans’ daily lives and loved ones like the Department of Transportation," Duffy himself said at the time.
A five-term Wisconsin congressman, he has an extensive career in the media. He is married to well-known Hispanic anchor Rachel Campos-Duffy, with whom he has had nine children.
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