Duffy Faces Senate Criticism Over Corporate Sponsored Road Trip Series

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy faced sharp criticism from Democratic senators during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Tuesday over a sponsored road trip project. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Patty Murray of Washington argued that the initiative, a multi-part web series titled "The Great American Road Trip," was funded by corporations his department regulates and raised ethical concerns.

The project, filmed over several months and intended to promote tourism for the nation's 250th anniversary, was sponsored by companies including Boeing, Toyota, United Airlines, Enterprise, Shell, and Royal Caribbean Group. Gillibrand stated, "Your vacation was paid for by Boeing, Toyota, United Airlines, Enterprise, Shell, Royal Caribbean Group," adding that the Department of Transportation oversees these entities. She characterized the arrangement as inappropriate, saying, "This road trip doesn't smell right."

Secretary Duffy defended the project, stating it was an official partnership with a nonprofit under the America 250 initiative, which Congress had sanctioned. He emphasized that no taxpayer money was used and that the effort was approved by a career...