President Donald Trump said Duffy would use his past experience in Congress to help rebuild the country’s infrastructure and improve travel safety.

Vice President JD Vance, left, shakes hands with Sean Duffy after swearing him in as secretary of transportation as his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, holds the Bible in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted unanimously on January 22 to approve Sean Duffy as the next head of the Department of Transportation, clearing the path for his full Senate confirmation.

Duffy was sworn into the Cabinet position just hours before an American Airlines passenger plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River

Duffy, formerly a reality TV star and Wisconsin congressman, was confirmed as the new transportation secretary on Tuesday.

The former Wisconsin congressman has promised safer Boeing planes, less regulation and help for U.S. companies developing self-driving cars.

The Senate confirmed Sean Duffy as the next secretary of transportation, marking a return to public office for former Wisconsin congressman.

Duffy previously told lawmakers his priorities leading the Transportation Department include aviation and highway safety as well as addressing the air traffic controller shortage.

Facing his first crisis just two days into the job, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy touted reforms sought by the president, who has lambasted DEI policies.

President Trump appointed Christopher Rocheleau, a 22-year FAA veteran, as acting administrator of the agency.

New transportation secretary Sean Duffy faces his first crisis as an Army helicopter collides with an American Airlines jet at Reagan Airport, crashing into the Potomac River. All onboard are feared dead.