Trump Hands Over Department of Transportation to Corporate Interests

"People deserve a transportation system that is affordable, convenient and reduces heat-trapping emissions and protects public health. Duffy, with his ties to the fossil fuel industry and alarmingly regressive views on climate and equity, cannot be trusted to put the needs of the public over the whims of Trump and the desires of his friends in the fossil fuel industry.

"Decades of transportation policy have ignored the needs of the American people and degraded air quality and the environment at large while benefiting executives in the oil, auto and road-building industries. Today, the nation's aviation system, highways, railroads and ports are struggling. It is time to end a transportation system that benefits vested interests and transition to one that would save the United States government and the general public trillions of dollars in energy infrastructure, public health and vehicle ownership costs.

"Duffy is just one of three cabinet picks with close personal and financial ties to the fossil fuel industry, showing Trump's determination to use his presidency to line the pockets of polluting industry executives rather than to serve, protect and uplift the nation's hard-working people.

"Confirming Duffy to lead the Department of Transportation would be an irresponsible decision by senators and disregard the needs of the people they are supposed to look out for and the future of the planet we all rely on."