This week, newly-sworn in U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy\u00a0issued a statement indicating a major policy shift for the American transportation industry, promising to \u201crescind woke policies\u201d and to advance economic development.<\/p>\n
Duffy was sworn into office on January 28, 2025, as the 20th Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).<\/p>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nOn January 29, Duffy issued a sweeping statement pointing towards radical changes for USDOT from the policies promoted by the Biden Administration and former USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg.<\/p>\n
Duffy promised to \u201crescind woke policies, roll back burdensome and costly regulations, restore economic growth, and ensure that all USDOT policies align with the [Trump] Administration\u2019s priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duffy issued the following three Memorandums as part of his first actions as USDOT head:<\/p>\n
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- Rescinding Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s \u201cWoke\u201d Policies<\/strong> \u2014 Directs Secretarial Officers and Heads of Operating Administrations to identify and eliminate all Biden-era programs, policies, activities, rules, and orders that promote climate change activism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, racial equity, gender identity policies, environmental justice, and other partisan objectives.<\/li>\n
- Lowering Costs Through Smarter Policies, Not Political Ideologies<\/strong> \u2014 Ensures all USDOT policies, grants, loans, and actions are based on sound economic principles, positive cost-benefit analyses, and pro-economic growth priorities.<\/li>\n
- Rescinding Greenhouse Gas Measurement Rule<\/strong> \u2014 The Secretary approved submission of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to rescind the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s rule requiring state transportation departments to measure and establish declining targets for carbon dioxide emissions on federally supported highways.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s actions mark an important step in restoring commonsense governance and merit-based policies at USDOT. Under President Trump\u2019s leadership, we are focused on eliminating excessive regulations that have hindered economic growth, increased costs for American families, and prioritized far-left agendas over practical solutions,\u201d said\u00a0Duffy. \u201cThe American people deserve an efficient, safe, and pro-growth transportation system based on sound decision-making, not political ideologies. These actions will help us deliver on that promise.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Duffy was strongly endorsed during the confirmation process by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) for his \u201cprevious support for small-business truckers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOOIDA and the 150,000 small business truckers we represent congratulate Secretary Sean Duffy on his confirmation to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation. We look forward to continue working with him in advancing the priorities of small business truckers across America, including expanding truck parking, fighting freight fraud, and rolling back burdensome, unnecessary regulations,\u201d said OOIDA President Todd Spencer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
- Lowering Costs Through Smarter Policies, Not Political Ideologies<\/strong> \u2014 Ensures all USDOT policies, grants, loans, and actions are based on sound economic principles, positive cost-benefit analyses, and pro-economic growth priorities.<\/li>\n