Former Wisconsin Congressman and Fox Business host Sean Duffy has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Secretary of Transportation.
On Monday, Trump made the announcement, praising Duffy as a “tremendous and well-liked public servant” who would usher in what he called “The Golden Age of Travel.” If the Senate confirms his nomination, Duffy will take charge of a large department with approximately 55,000 employees and an annual budget of $110 billion. He will be stepping into this role after current Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
According to Al Jazeera, Duffy has been nominated at a time when the transportation sector is encountering serious challenges. These challenges include ongoing safety issues at Boeing, and a noticeable increase in road deaths since 2020. The Department of Transportation oversees a wide range of responsibilities that include policies for aviation, automotive, rail, and transit. This work involves collaboration with multiple agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In his statement, Trump wrote that Sean Duffy would prioritize “Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation” while rebuilding America’s infrastructure. The president-elect also indicated that Duffy would eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs for pilots and air traffic controllers.
Fox News reported that Kevin M. Burke, who is the Airports Council International–North American President, welcomed the nomination, highlighting the need for infrastructure modernization. “As air travel continues to see record highs, it is essential for Duffy and the new Congress to collaborate to secure and retain the funding necessary for airports to modernize their infrastructure,” Burke said.
Sean Duffy represented Wisconsin’s Seventh Congressional District for more than eight years, during which he was a member of the Financial Services Committee. In 2019, he decided to step away from Congress to focus on spending more time with his family. After leaving, he became a co-host on Fox Business Network for a show called “The Bottom Line.” Following his recent nomination, it was announced that he would be leaving Fox News Media immediately.
