Sean Duffy, a former U.S. representative from Wisconsin, was sworn in as the 20th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In his new role, Duffy will oversee a $110 billion budget and more than 55,000 employees. The Department of Transportation is the federal agency responsible for overseeing national transportation policies, infrastructure development and safety regulations across air, land, and sea travel.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the oath of office at the Supreme Court with Duffy’s family in attendance. Upon assuming office, Secretary Duffy immediately signed a memorandum directing USDOT staff to initiate rolling back Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards to lower vehicle costs and axe the previous administration’s electric car mandate.
“I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me by President Trump to lead this important Department and for the Senate in swiftly confirming my nomination,” said Duffy.
He continued,”We are already hard at work executing the President’s vision to usher in a golden age of transportation by taking immediate action to remove government overreach and lower costs for hardworking Americans. The memorandum signed today specifically reduces the burdensome and overly restrictive fuel standards that have needlessly driven up the cost of a car in order to push a radical Green New Deal agenda. The American people should not be forced to sacrifice choice and affordability when purchasing a new car.”
The Senate confirmed Duffy in a 77-22 vote.
“We look forward to working with Secretary Duffy to ensure that America’s public transit systems remain the backbone of our urban and rural communities and a driver of economic growth and innovation,” said The American Public Transportation Association in a statement.
“A strong and vibrant public transportation system is crucial for strengthening U.S. manufacturing jobs, both directly and indirectly. With transit equipment manufacturers and suppliers located across the U.S., our industry already supports hundreds of thousands of good-paying American jobs,” ATPA CEO Paul Skoutelas said. “Through the continued support of the Buy America program, we can ensure that the materials and components used in our nation’s public transit projects are sourced domestically, supporting American workers, fostering economic growth, and creating additional job opportunities in communities across the nation.”
