Sean Duffy today took a step forward in the confirmation process to become the next U.S. secretary of transportation, facing a welcoming Senate Commerce Committee during a nomination hearing and committing to follow up on key aviation safety initiatives.

Both senators from Wisconsin, Ron Johnson (R) and Tammy Baldwin (D), introduced Duffy, endorsing his selection and praising the former five-term congressman’s time on Capitol Hill for working across the aisle to ensure the Saint Croix Crossing bridge was completed. 

Several of the members of the panel had already worked with the congressman during his time in the House. Duffy served from 2011 to 2019 as a Republican representing a district in Northwest Wisconsin but left during his final term because the youngest of his nine children was facing significant health issues. Most recently, he has co-hosted the Fox Business show, “The Bottom Line with Dagen and Duffy,” as well as a “From the Kitchen Table” podcast with his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy.

During his opening statement, Duffy stated that aviation safety will remain a top priority, cited a need for more air traffic controllers, and expressed a need to modernize ATC systems. He further mentioned the importance of Congress and the FAA's work “to restore global confidence in Boeing” as well as the need to “craft clear regulations that balance safety, innovation, and cutting-edge technology” as new forms of flight emerge.

While he wasn’t knowledgeable about safety management systems, he did respond to a question from the committee’s ranking Democrat, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), about mandatory SMS at Boeing: “We have to continue to push. There’s been a missing link. Obviously, there’s a lot more work to do.”

Duffy heard an array of priorities throughout the transportation modes from the committee, including several about the essential air service.  Duffy noted that several airports in his former district in rural Wisconsin were home to EAS service and understood its importance. He pledged to work with senators on other issues such as timely implementation of the FAA reauthorization bill, ATC tower renovation, Alaska air safety, pilot shortage concerns including designated pilot examiners, education, and the age 65 mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots. Asked about the 1,500-hour rule for commercial airlines, he said he would “follow the law,” including that rule.

Duffy came into the hearing with broad backing from aviation and other transportation groups. On the business and general aviation front, NBAA, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) all issued statements urging his confirmation.

GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce called Duffy “a well-respected leader who understands the intricacies of both policy and politics, which will serve him well as the next U.S. Secretary of Transportation. GAMA appreciates the work that his transition team has been carrying out to get a better understanding of the priorities of general aviation manufacturers including policies that advance safety, workforce, research and development, infrastructure investment, and global competitiveness in aviation.”

NATA president and CEO Curt Castagna wrote to the committee leadership that Duffy has demonstrated “his commitment to sound policy and robust stakeholder collaboration—qualities that make him well-suited to assume leadership of the DOT and oversee the implementation of the FAA Reauthorization law of 2024. In addition, his proven understanding of the political landscape and established Capitol Hill relationships on both sides of the aisle will ensure his effectiveness immediately upon confirmation by the full Senate.”

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) opened the hearing by saying: “Congressman Duffy is a dedicated public servant who is well qualified to lead this important department. In addition to nearly a decade of service as Northwest Wisconsin’s representative to Congress, he is a former prosecutor, a family man, and someone who cares deeply about the future of this country.”

Cantwell, meanwhile, mentioned he would go down as “a storied DOT secretary in the eyes of Washingtonians” given the importance of lumberjacks in her state—a reference to Duffy’s past competing in outdoor sports in lumberjack skills. He further was an ESPN Great Outdoor Games color commentator but began in television on the MTV reality show The Real World: Boston.