The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s Interim CEO Michele Stanley issued the following statement welcoming Sean Duffy as the Secretary of Transportation. On Tuesday, 28 January, the full Senate voted to confirm his nomination in a 77-22 vote. NSSGA previously shared this letter of support with the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee before their vote.
“We applaud the efforts of the Senate to confirm the nomination of former Rep. Sean Duffy quickly. His knowledge and experience, as a former member of Congress, is essential in leading the modernization of our transportation systems and the continued growth of our infrastructure networks. These systems are the economic circulatory system that our nation depends on for success.
“Certain, predictable funding is the foundation upon which the aggregates industry can address our nation’s infrastructure challenges. We are concerned about the implications that the administration’s executive order on freezing federal aid will have on our industry. We urge Secretary Duffy to work with industry stakeholders to find a solution that will provide for long-term certainty in both DOT federal aid programs and Highway Trust Fund revenues in order to continue boosting long-term U.S. competitiveness.”
After being officially sworn in as the 20th Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), Duffy said: “I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me by President Trump to lead this important Department and for the Senate in swiftly confirming my nomination.
“We are already hard at work executing the President’s vision to usher in a golden age of transportation by taking immediate action to remove government overreach and lower costs for hardworking Americans. The memorandum signed today specifically reduces the burdensome and overly restrictive fuel standards that have needlessly driven up the cost of a car in order to push a radical Green New Deal agenda. The American people should not be forced to sacrifice choice and affordability when purchasing a new car.”