[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONFIRMATION OF SEAN DUFFY

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, yesterday afternoon I voted to advance 
Sean Duffy's nomination to be Secretary of Transportation. I support 
qualified Cabinet nominees even when I have deep policy and political 
differences, unless they are so extreme as to pose a threat to the 
mission of their Agency. I have voted for qualified nominees from both 
parties for this position, and, while I have deep political and policy 
difference with Mr. Duffy, I believe that his experience in the House 
of Representatives has prepared him to do this job and support the 
overall mission of the Department of Transportation. I also appreciated 
his commitment in his hearings to funding Federal transportation 
projects without partisan influence.
  However, last night, the administration put out an unprecedented and 
illegal directive to Agencies to hold vast amounts of Federal funding, 
including grants and loans to states and organizations working in our 
communities. My office is hearing from counties and community groups 
across Maryland who are losing access to funds to support firefighters, 
prevent homelessness, and keep transportation projects on track. Mr. 
Duffy, and every nominee, will be responsible for executing this 
unlawful withholding of funding as passed by Congress. We cannot 
continue with business as usual when the administration abuses its 
power and ignores spending laws as passed by Congress, so I voted 
against Mr. Duffy's nomination today.

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