On the recordJanuary 28, 2025
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. ____________________
