Sean Duffy confirmed as DOT Secretary

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The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Sean Duffy to become the Secretary of Transportation. Duffy was confirmed by a 77-22 vote.

Sean DuffySean Duffy was confirmed Tuesday to become the next Secretary of Transportation.Following his confirmation hearing earlier this month, the former U.S. Representative from Wisconsin was expected to receive bipartisan support, which he did with Tuesday's vote. During the earlier hearing, Duffy fielded questions from Senators on the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, promising to work with Congress to help draft the next Surface Transportation Reauthorization package and much more.

Sam Graves, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said he's "confident that under the Secretary’s leadership we can improve America’s infrastructure by focusing our investments on core projects like roads and bridges, streamlining project delivery, and getting the Department back to the fundamental missions of federal transportation programs -- moving people and goods safely and efficiently."

[Related: Trump's DOT Secretary nominee completes non-contentious committee hearing]

Following his confirmation Tuesday, trucking organizations also congratulated Duffy on his new post.

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American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear said 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.”

Spear added that during his time in congress, 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.”

Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said the group “look[s] forward to continue working with him in advancing the priorities of small business truckers across America, including expanding truck parking, fighting freight fraud, and rolling back burdensome, unnecessary regulations.”

In a letter of support for Duffy earlier this month, Spencer said during Duffy’s time as a representative, he “demonstrated his interest in addressing regulatory burdens affecting small-business truckers,” including signing a letter to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration expressing support for an OOIDA petition to provide relief to small-business truck drivers from the electronic logging device mandate. 

Truckload Carriers Association President Jim Ward echoed ATA and OOIDA, noting that TCA "looks forward to collaborating with Secretary Duffy and the Department of Transportation to promote policies that enhance the safety and efficiency of our nation's highways."

Among key issues TCA is looking to advance are "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," Ward added. "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."

With Duffy's confirmation complete, it's likely that nominations for administrators of DOT agencies, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration and others, will be selected in the coming days and weeks.

[Related: Time to put an owner-operator behind the wheel of FMCSA?]

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