WASHINGTON – Sean Duffy’s first big test as secretary of the Department of Transportation came just one day after he was sworn into office.

President Donald Trump 's new Secretary of Transportation has an interesting Massachusetts connection. Sean Duffy, who was sworn in on Wednesday as part of the 47th president's cabinet, is a former Wisconsin congressman, an ex-Fox Business television host and, surprisingly enough, a reality TV show star.

Mr. Duffy, a former congressman who had appeared on track to sail through with little opposition, overcame a last-minute swell of Democratic anger over the White House’s sweeping funding freeze.

Duffy does not have a background in transportation, similar to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg when he arrived four years ago.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy promised to improve the nation's transportation infrastructure and systems after Vice President JD Vance swore in Duffy on Wednesday afternoon.

Duffy previously told lawmakers his priorities leading the Transportation Department include aviation and highway safety as well as addressing the air traffic controller shortage.

New DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, a former Wisconsin congressman, wants transportation funding prioritized in areas with higher birth rates.

The Senate confirmed Sean Duffy as the secretary of transportation in a 77 to 22 vote on Tuesday.

The midair collision at Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night has presented Sean Duffy with a major crisis just hours after he was sworn in as secretary of transportation.

Sean Duffy was confirmed Tuesday as transportation secretary, giving him a key role in helping President Donald Trump cut regulations and fix the nation's infrastructure. The former Wisconsin congressman has promised safer Boeing planes,

Duffy was sworn into the Cabinet position just hours before an American Airlines passenger plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River