WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy assured lawmakers that safety would not be compromised amid a significant workforce reduction plan at the U.S. Department of Transportation. “We’re exploring ways to streamline the department, and once we’ve finalized these plans, we’ll share them with you for consideration,” Duffy told a House Appropriations subcommittee on Wednesday.
Duffy’s testimony came as the department faces a 12% staff reduction since the start of the Trump administration in January 2020, largely due to the dismissal of probationary employees and two rounds of buyouts. Committee Chairman Steve Womack, R-Ark., expressed concerns about the potential impact on the department’s critical mission.
“While many agree that the federal bureaucracy has become bloated, we need to be precise in downsizing a department as vital as DOT,” Womack said. Duffy countered that the department could “do more with less,” potentially freeing up additional funds for infrastructure projects through the committee.
