Duffy Confirmed as New Transportation Secretary

On Tuesday, the United States Senate confirmed Sean Duffy as the new Secretary of Transportation, a move welcomed and endorsed by stakeholders in the maritime community.

Duffy was confirmed with bipartisan support of 77-22 in a vote on Tuesday, and he will take over the department that oversees vital maritime agencies such as the Maritime Administration.

Ahead of confirmation, Duffy received the endorsement of the American Maritime Partnership (AMP), an advocacy for the U.S. domestic shipping industry and the Jones Act, the nation’s older cabotage law. Duffy has a strong history with maritime from his time as an elected official representing Wisconsin’s 7th district between 2011-2019, during which he was co-chairman of the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, a coalition of labor and management from U.S.-flag vessel operators, shipboard and longshore unions, port authorities, cargo shippers, terminal operators, shipyards, and other Great Lakes interests.

“AMP particularly appreciates congressman Duffy’s unequivocal support for the Jones Act as expressed during his Commerce Committee confirmation hearing today,” AMP president Jennifer Carpenter wrote in a letter to senate majority leader John Thune dated January 15.

“President Trump is the Build American, Hire American, Made in the USA president, and it is hard to imagine a law more consistent with that philosophy than the Jones Act.”

The confirmation also received praised form elected officials in Congress.

“I want to congratulate Sean Duffy on his confirmation to serve as the next United States Secretary of Transportation. I am confident that under the Secretary’s leadership we can improve America’s infrastructure by focusing our investments on core projects like roads and bridges, streamlining project delivery, and getting the Department back to the fundamental missions of federal transportation programs – moving people and goods safely and efficiently,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO).

“President Trump is a builder and a strong supporter of infrastructure, and I look forward to working closely with Secretary Duffy to help carry out the President’s vision for the nation’s transportation network as we begin efforts to craft the next surface transportation bill.”