Transportation Secretary Duffy Questions Senators on Campaign Donations During Hearing

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy responded to questions from Democratic senators about corporate donations supporting a road trip tied to America's 250th anniversary. The senators raised concerns about potential ethics issues while Americans face high gas prices.

During the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing Tuesday, Sens. , questioned Duffy about donations from travel and car companies including Toyota, Boeing and Enterprise to the nonprofit organizing the trip. The five-part YouTube series documented Duffy's travel across ten states.

Duffy said the trip was sanctioned by the bipartisan America 250 commission and aimed to promote tourism. He denied that corporate sponsors received specific promises in exchange for donations.

Duffy asked Murray what donors from the health care industry receive in return for contributions, citing $102,000 from Pfizer to her campaign. He noted that senators have jurisdiction over the industries that contribute to their campaigns. Gillibrand said the road trip should not be funded by companies under Duffy's oversight.

Duffy responded by referencing $7 million in contributions to Gillibrand's campaign from law firms and attorney groups. Gillibrand stated that her campaign donations had nothing to do with the hearing topic. She said the hearing concerned Duffy and the administration, not her own activities.

Duffy defended the road trip as an effort to bring Americans together through shared experiences of the country.