New Transportation Secretary Chao Faces Uphill Battle to Improve U.S. Infrastructure
Skift Take
The swift confirmation of Chao represents an immediate opportunity for the new administration to make serious contributions towards improving America's airports and highways. But as the past shows, significant change may be hard to accomplish given the divided political goals of Congress.
The U.S. is one step closer to redeveloping its flagging infrastructure, but the path to truly revamped airports and highways remains unclear.
To the surprise of no one in Washington, Elaine Chao was named the new Secretary of Transportation after a short nomination process.
Chao, the former secretary of labor for the entire presidency of George W. Bush, is a well-respected public servant who happens to be the wife of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The travel industry at large has expressed support Chao, given her background running the Department of Labor.
"The U.S. travel community applauds the Senate for confirming Elaine Chao to serve as America's next Secretary of Transportation," said U.S. Travel president and CEO Roger Dow in a statement. "Secretary Chao brings with her a wealth of experience working with and within the U.S. government and on transportation issues, and will undoubtedly be an extremely effective leader of DOT. It is entirely fittin
