Former Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy received bipartisan praise during a hearing with the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Wednesday. Duffy represented Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District from 2011 to 2019. He is now President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Transportation.
Duffy was introduced by Wisconsin Sens. Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin. Baldwin, a Democrat, called him the “right person for this job.” She recalled their bipartisan work together to replace a large bridge in St. Croix County, emphasizing that the project was “not a matter of right or left.”
When questioned, Duffy pledged support for federal infrastructure projects. Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Ted Budd of North Carolina, brought up the importance of making sure Hurricane Helene victims are "not forgotten."
Blackburn noted Interstate 40 – a crucial artery from Wilmington, N.C., to Barstow, Calif., remains washed out across the Great Smoky Mountains.
During the September hurricane, a stretch of the eastbound lanes in Haywood County, North Carolina, collapsed into the then-raging Pigeon River, slowing regional commerce and access to mountain communities.
"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 said in response to Blackburn.
He pledged to make his first official trip as secretary be one to the Helene-affected region of those states.
Duffy also promised to protect the Essential Air Service program, which helps small airports. He highlighted how the program serves rural areas, including his former district in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Despite his deputy’s suggestion to cut funding for this service, Duffy assured the committee he would not reduce it.
Duffy also committed to improving passenger rail, including the new Borealis line between Chicago and Minneapolis. Throughout the hearing, Duffy emphasized his desire to work cooperatively with the committee.
Source: WRP.org, Fox News
