Sean Duffy has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new Secretary of Transportation, marking a significant shift in the department's leadership and policy direction. The Senate voted 77 to 22 in favor of his confirmation, reflecting a mix of bipartisan support and some opposition.
As the 20th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Duffy brings a diverse background, having served as a former U.S. Representative and a host on Fox Business. His confirmation has been well-received by key industry groups, particularly the airline industry, which anticipates strong leadership to improve travel infrastructure.
One of Duffy's immediate priorities is addressing critical issues within the transportation sector. He has emphasized the need to tackle Boeing's safety concerns, the persistent shortage of air traffic controllers, and the aging National Airspace System. Additionally, he will be re-evaluating consumer regulations inherited from the Biden administration, including automatic refunds, hefty fines, and free family seating policies.
During his confirmation hearing, Duffy highlighted Boeing as a key focus area, suggesting that the company needs “tough love” to address its safety issues. He also mentioned plans to reassess fines on space launches, which have impacted companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX. In September, SpaceX was fined $633,009 by the Federal Aviation Administration for violating launch license terms.
Duffy's approach to hiring within the Department of Transportation has also drawn attention. He stated that hiring decisions will be based on merit, reflecting the Trump administration's broader policy to remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from federal agencies. This move aligns with executive orders issued by President Trump to rescind such programs, resulting in the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration removing DEI mentions from their websites.
Upon taking office, Duffy's first action was signing a memorandum to reset the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. This move aims to lower the cost of cars for American consumers by reducing what he described as "burdensome and overly restrictive fuel standards" that have driven up car prices. The current CAFE standards require all passenger cars and light trucks to meet a 50.4 miles per gallon standard by Model Year 2031, a mandate that has significantly increased the average price of new cars.
Duffy's memorandum directs the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to initiate rulemaking to rescind or replace the existing CAFE standards. This action is part of President Trump's executive orders aimed at reducing regulatory costs and promoting American energy independence.
The impact of these fuel economy standards has been substantial; from March 2021 to March 2024, the average cost of a car increased by 15.5%, from $40,881 to $47,218. Duffy's initiative is intended to reverse this trend, making cars more affordable for American consumers by eliminating the electric vehicle mandate and reducing the regulatory burdens on the auto industry.
