The U.S. Senate confirmed former U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation on Jan. 28, approving his nomination by a bipartisan 77-22 margin.
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), which had strongly endorsed Duffy for the role, is now urging its members to support additional key cabinet nominees for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Duffy’s confirmation positions him at the helm of the Department of Transportation, overseeing national transportation policies and infrastructure development. Meanwhile, SEMA is encouraging the automotive aftermarket industry to back the nominations of former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin for EPA Administrator and former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum for Secretary of the Interior.
Both nominees have already advanced out of their respective Senate committees with bipartisan approval. Zeldin's nomination was approved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in an 11-8 vote, while Burgum’s nomination was advanced by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources with an 18-2 vote.
SEMA emphasized the significance of these appointments for the automotive aftermarket, off-road, and racing industries, highlighting each nominee’s qualifications and potential impact on regulatory decisions.
"SEMA’s strong support for each nominee is based on their extensive qualifications and the important role these departments play in regulating the automotive aftermarket, off-road, and racing industries," the association said in a statement.
With the final step being a full Senate vote, SEMA is encouraging its members to send letters of support for Zeldin and Burgum through its online advocacy platform. Senate approval requires a simple majority of voting members for confirmation.
For more information on the nominees and to send a letter of support, visit SEMA’s website.
