Democrats have concerns over Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s recent return to reality TV.
In May, Duffy released a four-minute trailer for a new online show dubbed “The Great American Road Trip,” in which he and his family traveled to various landmarks, including the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, the White House and Fenway Park in Boston.
During a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday, Democrats expressed their frustration over the travel.
Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina said: “To learn more about the complexities of our transportation and travel needs across the country, it’s important to keep in mind the millions of struggling taxpaying Americans who are not afforded the same opportunities.”
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Duffy’s cross-country road trip has created ethical concerns due to its funding coming from a nonprofit whose sponsors include Toyota and Boeing, companies regulated by the Department of Transportation. House appropriations Democrats are the latest to show irritation with Duffy’s trip.
Duffy defended the trip as part of his job but said he had no plans to record more episodes.
“It’s in conjunction with America 250 and Freedom 250, and this body has told me that one of my jobs is to promote travel and tourism,” Duffy said. “I didn’t make any money, I didn’t get — I don’t get anything. I did it with my children.”
Earlier this week, Duffy was also confronted by Senate Appropriations Committee Democrats about the trip.
New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said during that hearing that the trip “doesn’t smell right,” and that he should have to “explain to the American people” why he is “getting a vacation that is paid by companies you regulate.” On Sunday, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, also a Democrat, called the excursions “an embarrassment.”
“To make road trips unaffordable and then go around celebrating your own road trip is exactly what people are so frustrated about,” Buttigieg told CNN.
California Rep. Norma Torres called the road trip a “great idea,” but placed the blame at the feet of President Donald Trump for “making road trips unaffordable because of his illegal war in Iran.” Torres also questioned how Duffy was able to make the trip fit into his schedule.
“During the 43-day Republican government shutdown, we had air traffic controller high absences, people working without pay,” said Torres, noting that Duffy that had traveled for at least three days during last fall’s shutdown. She cited a Politico article about the trip.
Despite the pushback, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation maintained the trip was appropriate.
“Part of the Secretary’s job is to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and the travel industry and his participation was approved by USDOT ethics attorneys,” Nathaniel Sizemore said in a statement.
Republican Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas encouraged Duffy to film in his district.
“Not sure where all the road show went,” Womack said. “But if, in fact, it didn’t go certain places where you’d been invited, and the road show comes back,understand you will be welcomed with open arms.”
Duffy, a former Wisconsin lawmaker, previously appeared on MTV reality show “The Real World: Boston” in 1997.
This story was updated with a statement from the Department of Transportation.
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