March 02, 2021

Duckworth Meets with Deputy Secretary of Transportation Nominee

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (CST), virtually met with Polly Trottenberg, President Biden’s nominee to be the next Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). During their meeting, Duckworth and Trottenberg discussed Amtrak accessibility and on-time performance and the upcoming infrastructure package, as well as her TIFIA for Airports Act. 

“Polly Trottenberg and I had great discussion today about what she wants to accomplish in this Deputy Secretary role and how we can work together on the upcoming infrastructure package and highway bill, Duckworth said. “I hope she is swiftly confirmed so that she can begin helping Secretary Buttigieg create good-paying jobs in Illinois and across the country while also prioritizing sustainability, equity and accessibility in our transportation systems.

Duckworth’s Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill ensuring that small airports across the country support nursing moms and promote breastfeeding-friendly environments, was signed into law last November. The bill builds on Duckworth’s success in enacting a law that ensures all large and medium airports provide a clean, private space where moms can breastfeed or pump. As a result of legislation that was passed by Duckworth, DOT finally implemented a new rule requiring air carriers to disclose for the first time how many checked bags, wheelchairs and motorized scooters they damage or mishandle each month. 

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