Ranking Member Carper Statement on Confirmation of Elaine Chao to Lead the Department of Transportation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement today after the Senate confirmed Elaine Chao to serve as secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

“I want to congratulate Secretary Chao as she takes the helm at the Department of Transportation. I am pleased that, unlike many of the individuals that President Trump has nominated to the highest posts in government, Secretary Chao takes this position with a background in transportation issues and previous experience running a federal agency. Leading the agency that keeps our nation moving is a difficult undertaking. Our country’s transportation system is vast and directly impacts the daily lives of millions of Americans. We rely on our roads, highways, bridges, airports and transit systems to get to work, travel to see friends and family or move goods across the country. In order to ensure that people can get where they are going safely and efficiently, it is critical that we prioritize investments in the infrastructure on which so many depend.

“Historically, infrastructure has been an issue where there was the potential for bipartisan cooperation. It is my hope that Secretary Chao will now be able to work with Congress to find the common ground necessary to develop a responsible infrastructure bill that provides real funding to repair and maintain our many deficient roads and bridges and complete major transit, bridge, tunnel and water projects across the country that will create jobs and transform our economy.”

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