Sean Duffy will inherit several complex problems facing the Department of Transportation
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday that he was nominating former Wisconsin Representative Sean Duffy as transportation secretary.
Duffy, who was the co-host of Fox Business‘ The Bottom Line and a former cast member on a season of The Real World, is the second Fox News host to be nominated for Trump’s cabinet, the other being Pete Hegseth as defense secretary.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) oversees the nation’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railways, airports, and ports, ensuring their safety and efficiency. It regulates vehicle safety standards, manages air traffic control, and enforces pipeline and railroad safety laws.
The DOT also administers billions of dollars annually in federal grants for infrastructure projects and transit systems. Additionally, it plays a role in advancing technological innovations, such as electric and autonomous vehicles.
If certified by the Senate, Duffy will take over from Pete Buttigieg in January 2025, and will inherit several complex problems facing the Department of Transportation.
Here are some of the key issues he will have to address:Aviation Safety Concerns
Duffy will take over the DOT amid ongoing aviation safety concerns, particularly with Boeing.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the DOT’s largest agency, has ramped up scrutiny of Boeing following several high-profile incidents, including a door panel flying off an Alaska Airlines plane in January 2023, capping the number of aircraft Boeing can produce monthly.
This comes after years of whistleblower allegations about safety and manufacturing lapses at Boeing and its suppliers, with FAA receiving 126 reports of safety problems this year alone, up from 11 the previous year.
Boeing’s former Chief Executive Dave Calhoun appeared before the U.S. Senate in June. He said, „we’re committed to making sure every employee feels empowered to speak up if they see a problem. We also have strict policies that prohibit retaliation against employees who come forward.“
In addition, the FAA will be central in addressing Boeing’s compliance with safety improvements and deciding whether to lift production caps.
This year has also seen high-profile strikes in the airline industry, including the unionized machinists at Boeing who went on strike for seven weeks. In August, flight attendants at United Airlines voted to go on strike.
Despite a number of issues Duffy could face, his nomination has drawn praise from some in the airline industry.
In a statement, Nicholas E.
