Federal transportation leaders announced

It was announced in November that President Donald Trump picked Sean Duffy – a former congressman and Fox Business personality – to be the next Secretary of Transportation. What will that mean for small-business truckers?

Although Duffy, R-Wis., primarily focused on financial issues during his time in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, he did align with truckers who opposed the electronic logging mandate. Duffy was one of 25 members of the House who supported an exemption request from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association from the ELD mandate.

Duffy’s nomination drew quick support from OOIDA.

“OOIDA and the 150,000 small-business truckers we represent congratulate Rep. Duffy on his nomination as Secretary of Transportation,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said shortly after the selection was announced. “We look forward to working with him in advancing the priorities of small-business truckers across America, including expanding truck parking, fighting freight fraud and rolling back unnecessary regulations. We encourage a swift confirmation in the Senate and look forward to working with the new administration.”

In the announcement posted to Truth Social, Trump said Duffy would prioritize “excellence, competence, competitiveness and beauty when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges and airports.”

The statement also said Duffy would ensure that ports and dams serve the economy without compromising national security.

“Sean will use his experience and relationships he has built over many years in Congress to maintain and rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and fulfill our mission of ushering in The Golden Age of Travel, focusing on safety, efficiency and innovation,” Trump said in the post.

Duffy responded to the nomination announcement with a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Thank you, Mr. President. I’m eager to help you usher in a new golden age of transportation,” the post stated.

In addition to Duffy’s time in the House of Representatives, the 53-year-old is known for his contributions to Fox Business and ESPN as a color commentator as well as for a stint on MTV’s The Real World: Boston. He is married to Rachel Campos, and they have nine children.

If confirmed by the Senate, Duffy will replace DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has served in the role since appointed by President Joe Biden.

“The work of the Transportation Department starts with safety, roads and bridges,” Duffy wrote in a post on X on Dec. 20, 2024. “If confirmed, I also hope to work alongside the Commerce Committee to move technology forward – so important to keep America competitive on the world stage.”

House T&I leadership falls in place

In addition to the selection of Duffy as DOT secretary, the announcement of the leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee also provided insight into what to expect in the trucking industry over the next two years.

Both of the T&I leaders are familiar faces.

Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., will again serve as the committee chairman.

Graves chaired the committee the past two years and was the Republican’s ranking member the four years before that. He received a waiver from a House GOP panel in order to remain the committee leader.

The position is especially significant in the upcoming legislative session, as Congress will go to work on the next highway bill.

“The Committee will hit the ground running in 2025,” Graves said. “Our work will include working with President Trump to advance his infrastructure priorities, developing the next long-term surface transportation reauthorization and reprioritizing policies that are consistent with the core purpose of infrastructure in the first place – moving people and goods safely and efficiently throughout our country.”

Additionally, it was announced that Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., will resume his role as ranking member.

“It is an honor to be selected to continue serving as ranking member of the T&I Committee,” Larsen said in a statement. “This Congress, I worked with my colleagues on T&I to implement bipartisan laws that create good-paying jobs and improve America’s infrastructure. I look forward to continuing this work in the next Congress alongside Chairman Graves and to passing bipartisan legislation that will keep people and the economy moving while creating safer, cleaner, greener and more accessible transportation.”

OOIDA said it is looking forward to working with Graves to advance pro-trucker legislation.

“OOIDA congratulates Chairman Graves on being selected by his colleagues to continue leading the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the 119th Congress,” Spencer said. “We have a strong relationship with Chairman Graves and look forward to working with him and his committee next year on a surface transportation reauthorization bill that includes pro-trucker priorities like expanded truck parking, fighting freight fraud and allowing restroom access at shippers and receivers.”

When Congress worked on the previous infrastructure bill in 2021, Graves stood up for truckers in opposition of efforts to increase motor carriers’ minimum liability insurance from $750,000 to $2 million. LL