Duffy, 53, served in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, representing Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District and serving as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and on the House Committee on Financial Services. He most recently was co-host of The Bottom Line on Fox Business, resigning from that position Nov. 12. He joined Fox News as a contributor in 2020.
His nomination for USDOT Secretary was approved by the Senate on Jan. 28 by a vote of 77 to 22, and passed the Senate Commerce Committee last week by a vote of 28 to 0.
Duffy said he was “deeply honored” by the President’s trust in him to “lead this important Department and for the Senate in swiftly confirming my nomination.”
“I am grateful the Senate has voted in support of Sean Duffy to lead the Department of Transportation,” Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, said in a statement. “Throughout the confirmation process, Sean has displayed a passion for public service and a willingness to listen and learn to ensure that this vital department is operating at the highest level of safety and efficiency across all modes under its jurisdiction. I want to congratulate Sean and his family, and I look forward to working with him to advance innovation and safety on America’s roads, railroad tracks, skies, and waterways.”
“Congratulations to Secretary Sean Duffy on his confirmation as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation by a strong, bipartisan vote,” House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Senior Democrat Rick Larsen of Washington said. “I look forward to working with Secretary Duffy in a bipartisan fashion to stem the chaos created by recent Executive Orders, bring clarity to project sponsors and to guarantee completion of infrastructure projects across the country—protecting the jobs of hardworking women and men in transportation and keeping the recent historic investments in transportation going. Supporting safe and efficient mobility and opportunity for all should not be controversial.”
Upon his arrival at USDOT headquarters, Duffy’s first act was signing a memorandum (download below) directing staff to start the process of resetting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, according to the USDOT, which explained that the Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are directed to immediately initiate a rulemaking to rescind or replace all existing CAFE standards.
This direction will implement Executive Order 14148, Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions, and Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy, which were issued by the President on Jan. 20, 2025.
“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 said. “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.”
Industry Response
Many in the freight and transit rail industry issued statements following the confirmation of Duffy to lead the USDOT:
- Association of American Railroads (AAR): “Congratulations to Secretary Sean Duffy on his confirmation to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation,” AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies said. “Freight rail is the backbone of the American economy—moving what matters safely, efficiently, and reliably every day. AAR looks forward to working with Secretary Duffy to advance policies that drive innovation and growth; strengthen supply chains; and support U.S. global competitiveness.”
- American Public Transportation Association (APTA): “The American Public Transportation Association (APTA), representing an $79 billion industry that directly employs 430,000 people and supports millions of private sector jobs, congratulates Sean Duffy on his confirmation as United States Secretary of Transportation,” APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said. “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. 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. 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. APTA and our more than 1,600 member organizations are committed to working with Secretary Duffy and the Department of Transportation to make a public transportation network that will be the envy of the world, while driving economic growth, creating American jobs, and ensuring the U.S. remains a leader in innovative transportation solutions.”
- American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA): “Congratulations to Sean Duffy for being sworn in as the 20th secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation,” ASLRRA reported via social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “We look forward to working with him on regulatory and legislative actions that support growth and productivity in freight rail transportation.”
- Amtrak: “Amtrak congratulates Sean Duffy on his confirmation as America’s newest Transportation Secretary and member of the Amtrak Board,” Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said. “We are excited to work with Secretary Duffy to introduce new trains, improve service, and rebuild critical bridges, tunnels, and infrastructure, which will help grow the economy and develop new, blue-collar jobs all across the country.”
- Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD): “Transportation labor congratulates Sean Duffy on his confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Transportation,” said Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, TTD President and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively. “As Transportation Secretary, Mr. Duffy will play a critical leadership role in overseeing the modal agencies that keep the traveling public and transportation workers safe, including the Federal Aviation, Railroad, Maritime and Transit Administrations. As the nation’s largest transportation labor federation, our priority remains the same across changing political landscapes and evolving technology: the safety and well-being of frontline workers and passengers. In his confirmation hearing, Mr. Duffy committed to upholding the two-person staffing minimum for freight train crews, acknowledged the importance of investing in our passenger rail network, pledged to increase air traffic controller staffing, and expressed his support for the Jones Act. We are pleased that Mr. Duffy has a shared commitment on these issues, in addition to continuing to oversee the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s long-term investments in communities across America. We look forward to working with Secretary Duffy to improve America’s transportation systems, including commercial aviation, freight rail networks, Amtrak, and public transit, while ensuring that the workers who build, operate, maintain, and protect those systems remain safe on the job.”
