Since Secretary Sean Duffy was sworn in as U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary in January 2025, the nation has faced a series of transportation crises and major policy shifts. A string of fatal aviation accidents—including the high-profile Potomac River mid-air disaster and the medevac jet crash in Philadelphia—has put a fresh spotlight on longstanding air traffic control (ATC) challenges and aviation safety. These incidents, along with chronic delays at Newark International Airport and contentious public debate over federal transportation priorities, have elevated the stakes of the FY2026 budget request. At the same time, DOT has operated under aggressive deregulatory policies and White House directives affecting infrastructure grants, research, environmental, and safety funding—generating ongoing uncertainty among states and cities.  

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) opened the July 16 hearing by linking current oversight to the next surface transportation reauthorization bill, urging action on ATC modernization, flexible state priorities, and restoring the health of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). Four major themes dominated the hearing: 

1. Aviation and Airspace Modernization

Committee members pressed Secretary Duffy on urgent needs for ATC infrastructure and FAA facilities. Duffy reaffirmed safety and system reliability as DOT’s core mission, pointing to brand new ATC upgrades, streamlined and accelerated hiring of air traffic controllers, and infrastructure improvements—while seeking an additional $19 billion over the $12.5 billion for this purpose just provided to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by the budget reconciliation bill. While efforts to onboard 2,000 air traffic controllers this year are advancing, Duffy asked for patience due to long training periods. He fielded questions on Department of Defense airspace coordination, managing extreme heat impacts, the ongoing 1,500-hour rule for pilot training (which he plans to keep for now), and closing infrastructure gaps at regional airports. 

2. Surface Transportation, Project Delivery, & Permitting

Persistent doubts about sluggish project delivery and ongoing permitting delays prompted bipartisan calls for improvement. GOP leaders called for project delivery reforms and trimming funds to slow-moving projects while supporting the concept of high-speed rail. Members highlighted the need for expanded truck parking (Rick Crawford, R-AR; Brian Babin, R-TX), rural connectivity (Brian Bost, R-IL; Dave Taylor, R-OH), and stronger maritime investment (Mike Ezell, R-MS). Rail safety concerns—especially following the East Palestine derailment—remained prominent, with Democratic lawmakers unwilling to waive critical inspection standards. 

3. Policy Tensions: Equity, Buy America, & “Woke” Criteria

Members such as Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Val Hoyle (D-OR) questioned whether factors like marriage and birth rates should shape grant eligibility, as Duffy indicated they should in a February memo. Secretary Duffy maintained that growth indicators could guide priorities, and that “irrelevant” factors like equity must go. He was resolute on “Buy America” policies—opposing purchases from Chinese transit manufacturers—while facing scrutiny over the withdrawal of funds from University Transportation Centers, most of which were in blue states or cities (John Garamendi, D-CA). Duffy reinforced that safety comes first and that he would consider “rescoping” terminated grants. Notable exchanges included disputes over funding for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise resource centers (Chuy Garcia, D-IL) and New York’s congestion pricing (Jerrold Nadler, D-NY). Duffy did not concede that safety incidents on New York subways are declining. 

4. Grant Delivery, Local Impacts, & Special Interests

Numerous district-focused and national priorities surfaced, from the distribution pace and local targeting of project funds (Brian Mast, R-FL; Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC; King King-Hinds, D-NMI) to the ongoing review of NEVI EV charger funding (Chris Pappas, D-NH) and upgrades at Union and Penn Stations. The debate over grant “rescoping” following policy changes and halted funds was front and center, with Duffy promising more deregulation and flexibility for projects that create jobs and deliver “real” benefits.  

Minor and Additional Topics 

With regards to the backlog of Biden-era grant announcements under review by the Trump team, Duffy reported that, of approximately 3,200 applications, about 1,900 grants have now been cleared, with final announcements on the rest expected by early fall. DOT and FAA staffing shortfalls arose repeatedly, with Duffy pledging to keep safety-critical roles intact and “do more with less.” Members flagged the importance of strengthening cockpit barriers (Andre Carson, D-IN), keeping aviation maintenance in the U.S. (Chris Deluzio, D-PA), expanding support for innovative road construction materials (Salud Carbajal, D-CA), and maintaining a balance between pedestrian/cyclist safety and automobile infrastructure (Rick Larsen, D-WA). There was just a single brief mention of alternative funding arrangements for the HTF, with Secretary Duffy suggesting he did not know the latest on the Federal System Funding Alternative Advisory Board that is supposed to run the nationwide VMT fee pilot program. 

Notable Takeaways 

This hearing was underscored by bipartisan consensus on two points: the urgency of infrastructure modernization and appreciation for Duffy’s willingness to tackle inherited capital backlogs. The backdrop of high-profile air safety incidents and delays in NEVI and other federal grants generated calls for faster project delivery, greater accountability, and fewer regulatory obstacles. Disagreement over evolving funding criteria, Buy America enforcement, and safety trade-offs demonstrates that the policy discussion will remain intense as reauthorization discussions move forward. 

In summary, with appropriations decisions looming, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee remains focused on marrying speed and safety with clear priorities and transparency. Secretary Duffy’s direct manner and policy focus earned respect across the aisle, yet members made clear the expectation for accelerated, fiscally sound progress in the months ahead.