Senate Approves Trump Transportation Department Pick Sean Duffy

The Republican-led U.S. Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee, Sean Duffy, as the head of the Transportation Department.

Duffy, who previously represented Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, outlined his priorities for the department during his January testimony before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

His agenda focuses on improving transportation safety, addressing the shortage of air traffic controllers, and restoring public trust in Boeing following a series of controversies.

“No federal agency impacts Americans’ daily lives and loved ones like the Department of Transportation,” Duffy emphasized during his Jan. 15 confirmation hearing.

“We want the best and the brightest air traffic controllers. We must modernize our systems with cutting-edge technologies. I’ll work with Congress and the FAA to restore global confidence in Boeing, and to ensure that our skies are safe,” he pledged.

Duffy also committed to prioritizing the rebuilding of a section of Interstate 40 near the North Carolina-Tennessee border, which has been closed since September 2024 due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

“We’re continuing to try to work through this process to get that rebuild, but we need to know this will be front and center with you so we can get that interstate rebuilt and reopened,” Duffy assured lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, was confirmed Monday night, placing him at the helm of implementing the president’s ambitious economic agenda.

The Senate voted 68-29 to approve Bessent’s nomination, with 16 members of the Democratic caucus voting in favor and three abstaining.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) praised Bessent’s qualifications, calling him “an example of the American dream in action.” Speaking on the Senate floor, Thune said, “He brings a wealth of private sector experience in the economy and markets to his new role, as well as the concern for the needs of working Americans.”

Bessent, a billionaire hedge fund manager and investor, faces significant challenges as the administration seeks to swiftly enact its economic priorities.

One major task will be coordinating with Congress to extend provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which are set to expire at the end of this year. Bessent has expressed support for prolonging the cuts, a move likely to be included in a reconciliation package that would bypass the Senate filibuster and require only Republican votes. However, the plan would need near-unanimous backing from the often-divided House GOP.

Republicans broadly support extending the tax cuts but differ on specific provisions, such as the cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. There are also varying opinions about retaining or removing elements of the Democrats’ 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

Concerns over the national debt, which could grow by $4.6 trillion as a result of extending Trump’s tax cuts, remain a sticking point for some Republicans. Currently, about 20% of the $36 trillion national debt is money the government essentially owes itself.

During his campaign, Trump proposed additional tax reforms, including eliminating double taxation for Americans living abroad, removing overtime and tip taxes, and offering a tax deduction for family caregivers. Bessent will need to navigate these initiatives through Congress to determine which proposals can gain sufficient support.

Trump’s promise to remove overtime and tip taxes would primarily benefit those in the “lower two quintiles of the income distribution,” Bessent told the Senate Finance Committee earlier this month. “That would go a long way toward addressing the affordability crisis,” he added.

Pressure is mounting for Republicans to align on tax policy. House Republicans are currently at a retreat in Florida with President Trump, working to resolve their differences.

“At the top of the Republican agenda is extending that tax relief to help our economy and the American people thrive,” Thune said. “I deeply appreciate the fact that Mr. Bessent shares that commitment.”

Bessent assumes control of the Treasury as the U.S. economy continues to expand. GDP grew by 3.1% in the fourth quarter, following a 3% increase in the third. Corporate profits in the third quarter were near record highs, rising to 9% of domestic income after the pandemic.

Inflation, as measured by the Fed’s preferred gauge, is trending at an annual rate of up to 2.8%, excluding food and energy.

Bessent’s confirmation on Monday marked a historic moment, as he became the first openly gay Cabinet member in a Republican administration.

Since Trump’s inauguration last Monday, Bessent is the fifth nominee to win Senate approval, following Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.