Duffy Fires Back at Senators Over Road Trip Funding

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pushed back against two Democratic senators who questioned his participation in a 10-state road trip tied to corporate donations.

The America 250 commission approved the trip to mark the country's 250th anniversary and promote tourism. A nonprofit called The Great American Roadtrip covered the costs with donations from companies including Toyota, Boeing and Enterprise. The journey became a five-part YouTube series.

At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing Tuesday, Sens. Patty Murray of Washington and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said the donations raised ethics issues while Americans face high gas prices.

Murray told Duffy the project looked like a personal promotion and questioned who he answers to, citing a pitch deck that promised donors logo placement in videos and access to events.

Duffy said no promises were made to sponsors. He then asked Murray what healthcare companies receive for large donations to her campaigns, noting her jurisdiction over the industry. He listed specific contributions, including $102,000 from Pfizer.

Gillibrand also called the trip a family vacation paid for by companies under Duffy's oversight. Duffy responded by citing $7 million in contributions Gillibrand's campaign has received from law firms and attorney groups.

Gillibrand said her donations were unrelated to the hearing and noted that she was questioning Duffy, not the other way around. Duffy accused her of using law firm money for private flights, steak dinners and vacations. Gillibrand denied flying private, though a 2022 report showed she ranked second in Congress for chartered flight spending.

Duffy said the road trip aimed to bring Americans together.