U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement After Commerce Committee Hearing on Nomination of Elaine Chao for Secretary of the Department of Transportation
"I am very pleased that Ms. Chao stated her commitment and the Trump Administration’s commitment to strong ‘Buy America’ standards. "
Elaine Chao. Photo from the U.S. federal government. Photo is in the Public Domain.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement after the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation nomination hearing for Elaine Chao, President-elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of the Department of Transportation designee:
“Given Ms. Chao’s previous opposition to ‘Buy America’ requirements, I have had serious concerns about her commitment to a top priority of mine. I have fought hard to advance ‘Buy America’ provisions because I strongly believe American workers should build our infrastructure with American products, and taxpayers’ money should not be spent on Chinese iron and steel.
“Today, Ms. Chao made a commitment to support ‘Buy America’ provisions and work to keep President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to ‘Buy American and hire American.’ Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans have not shared this commitment. Just last month, House Republicans removed my ‘Buy America’ standard from bipartisan water infrastructure legislation and President-elect Trump has been silent. I am very pleased that Ms. Chao stated her commitment and the Trump Administration’s commitment to strong ‘Buy America’ standards. For this reason, I will support her nomination for Secretary of the Department of Transportation and I will hold the incoming administration accountable to keep their word to American workers and manufacturers, in Wisconsin and across our country.”
Background
Huffington Post: “Silence From Trump Tower On Buy America”
Urban Milwaukee, Murphy’s Law: “Why Ryan Opposed Buy American Plan”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin
As Elon Musk’s DOGE Targets Social Security, Baldwin Calls on Trump Admin to Reverse Decision That Makes Accessing Benefits More Difficult
Mar 27th, 2025 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinBaldwin: “There is no way around it: this latest action by the Trump Administration is a direct attack on Social Security”
Senator Baldwin Raises Alarms on Trump Gutting Health Department and Making Americans Less Safe, Healthy
Mar 27th, 2025 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinTrump and Musk forcing out 20,000 workers that protect families from unsafe foods, support Medicare and Medicaid recipients, and find breakthroughs for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease
Baldwin Calls Out Trump Undermining Small Business Owners, Demands Admin Release Report on Proposed Cuts to the Bipartisan MBDA
Mar 26th, 2025 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinBaldwin and Republican colleagues helped make Minority Business Development Center permanent to help entrepreneurs, create jobs, and grow economy
