Former Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) flanked Wisconsin’s incumbent senator in a bipartisan statement of support to begin Wednesday’s confirmation hearing in the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. .
Duffy served five terms, flipping the seat held for decades by Democrat David Obey before leaving for Fox News. Most recently, he co-hosted “The Bottom Line” with Dagen McDowell on FOX Business.
“I am humbled by the fact that President Trump has nominated me to this very important position,” Duffy said in his opening statement.
He also introduced eight of his nine children in attendance, as well as his wife and “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos Duffy.
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Former Congressman Sean Duffy, pictured, listens to Sen. Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) during his confirmation hearing for Secretary of Transportation. (Fox News Digital/Charlie Crates)
He said he would not be able to be in Washington on Wednesday because his eldest son and wife recently had a child and he also lives in Southern California, which has been devastated by wildfires.
“No federal agency has more impact on Americans’ daily lives and their loved ones than the Department of Transportation,” he said, adding that President-elect Donald Trump is a “builder” and emphasizes the importance of maintaining and building critical infrastructure. He added that he was aware of it. He also said Campos-Duffy’s survival of a fatal head-on car crash has taught his family to prioritize highway safety.
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (DN.M.) said he was involved in an accident with a drunk driver 30 years ago, but doesn’t like to talk about it.
Lujan appeared briefly emotional as he spoke of his connection to Campos-Duffy through their shared experiences, praising Duffy’s goal of being remembered as the secretary who improved transportation safety. did.
Later in the hearing, Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., also emphasized the importance of highway safety, revealing that he was hit by a car when he was 5 years old.
Mr. Duffy also promised to restore the American public’s confidence in the airline industry amid several recent incidents, including the Boeing Co. issue. “We want the best and brightest air traffic controllers,” he said. “We need to modernize our systems with cutting-edge technology. We need to work with Congress and the FAA to restore global trust in Boeing. We will ensure the safety of our skies.” .
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Similarly, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, pointed out that the Last Frontier was not yet a state when President Dwight Eisenhower initiated the federal interstate highway program, and 251 communities in the state He pointed out that they are still not connected by road.
Mr. Duffy pledged support for federal programs that ensure essential air service to remote communities in Alaska and other sparsely populated states.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Ted Budd (R-Tenn.) raised the importance of “not forgetting” the victims of Hurricane Helen.
Blackburn noted that Interstate 40, a critical transcontinental artery from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Barstow, California, remains washed out across the Great Smoky Mountains.
During the September hurricane, part of the eastbound lanes in Haywood County, North Carolina, collapsed into the then-raging Pigeon River, blocking access to area commerce and mountain communities. Major highways in parts of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee remain closed for extended periods as communities rebuild.
“As we continue to work through this process of rebuilding, we need you to know that this is your focal point so we can rebuild and reopen our interstates,” Duffy said. told Byrne.
He promised to visit the Hellene-affected areas of these states on his first official visit as Secretary-General.
Regarding support for alternative transportation, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said at one point that public transportation costs an average of $100 a month, compared to the monthly cost of owning a car. He pointed out that the cost can reach as much as $1,000.
Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) said one of the issues the Department of Transportation must address is the lack of means for electric vehicle drivers to pay into the Highway Trust Fund. . Currently, taxes on gasoline are the main source of funding.
Duffy responded that there needs to be a way to fund roads with greener vehicles.
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Former Congressman Sean Duffy (right) greets Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio). (Fox News Digital/Charles Crates)
In a lighter moment during the hearing, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) mentioned the possibility of Duffy visiting the Aloha State, to which Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) responded, He joked that it could be a good junket for the entire committee. .
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) called on Duffy to focus on passenger rail service in the Heartland, saying his primary focus on multiple occasions has been Amtrak’s Northeast Regional (Newport News, Virginia). , which operates between Boston and Boston.
He mentioned the Southwest Chief, an important two-day run between Chicago and Los Angeles, and how key it is to his state.
Additionally, New Jersey Democratic Sen. Andy Kim discussed recent mysterious drone sightings across the Garden State and regional traffic issues plaguing the New York City suburbs.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduate of Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
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