Trucking groups celebrated President-elect Donald Trump’s announced pick for transportation secretary, former U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, as an ally of the industry who has supported carriers’ priorities.
The Wisconsin Republican and former “The Real World: Boston” reality television personality was focused on trucking and supply chain issues during his time in the House from 2011 to 2019, said American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear in a statement.
“He is an exceptional choice to lead the Department of Transportation, and we congratulate him on his nomination,” the ATA CEO said.
If confirmed by the Senate, Duffy would replace Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has led the rollout of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to infrastructure projects around the country as the nation’s top transportation official.
Duffy, now a Fox Business co-host, understands the opportunity to reduce highway congestion, invest in truck parking, enhance safety and support the development of innovative technologies, Spear said.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association hopes Duffy will help the industry expand truck parking, fight freight fraud and roll back unnecessary regulations, among other small business trucker priorities, President Todd Spencer said in an emailed statement.
Duffy supported an unsuccessful push by OOIDA to create an exception from electronic logging device requirements for drivers with strong safety records, the group said.
“We encourage a swift confirmation in the Senate,” Spencer said.
Duffy has been a longtime friend of the trucking industry, and his selection bodes well for upcoming highway reauthorization legislation, said David Heller, Truckload Carriers Association SVP of safety & government affairs.
“Somebody that knows the industry and is favorable towards trucking in that role will go a long way towards getting a reauthorization bill that makes sense for all parties involved,” Heller said in an interview.
With Trump’s DOT and EPA nominee picks now public, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration leadership will be among the next key presidential nominees the trucking industry will be monitoring.
Industry groups hope the next FMCSA head will be a partner who understands trucking and is willing to listen, leaders told Trucking Dive earlier this year.
