Trump administration pick Sean Duffy officially was sworn in as the 20th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday. Duffy replaces Pete Buttigieg after a 77-22 confirmation vote in the U.S. Senate.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the oath of office.
“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,” Duffy, a former Wisconsin Representative and Fox News host, said in a news release. “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.”
Duffy’s first act was to sign a memorandum directing staff to start the process of resetting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which the new administration says will lower the price of a car for American consumers and eliminate the electric vehicle mandate. “The memorandum signed [Tuesday] 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,” Duffy said.
Commercial vehicle groups, including the American Trucking Associations, Truckload Carriers Association, and the National Association of Truck Stop Owners, quickly praised Duffy’s confirmation.
“On behalf of the trucking industry, it is a pleasure to congratulate Sean Duffy on his confirmation to lead the Department of Transportation as the 20th Secretary of Transportation,” said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. “[Tuesday’s] strong, bipartisan vote in favor of his nomination is an endorsement of his qualifications and experience for this position. It also reflects his commitment to unite stakeholders around commonsense policies to make our transportation network safer and more efficient.
“Transportation is an issue that affects every American, and it is the key to a thriving economy, social and economic mobility, and job creation. Throughout his congressional service, Secretary Duffy was a steadfast supporter of hardworking truckers and the work that they do to deliver the nation’s freight.
“We look forward to building on our partnership with Secretary Duffy in the years ahead to modernize our infrastructure and increase the resiliency of our supply chain.”
TCA also congratulated Duffy on his appointment and said it looks forward to collaborating with the new DOT secretary to “promote policies that enhance the safety and efficiency” of the nation’s highways.
“TCA remains dedicated to fostering meaningful discussions on key issues, including implementing advanced safety technologies like automatic emergency braking systems, hair testing as an approved method for drug screening in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, and addressing the critical need for expanded truck parking facilities,” TCA stated. “These initiatives are vital for ensuring highway safety and supporting the professional growth of the trucking workforce, reflecting our deep appreciation for their essential contributions.”