The Senate confirmed Elaine Chao to serve as the secretary of transportation Tuesday.
Chao, who served as deputy secretary of transportation under former President George H.W. Bush and secretary of labor under former President George W. Bush, received strong bipartisan support, passing in a 93-6 vote.
Six Democrats — Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York — many of whom are rumored to be considering running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, voted against her.
Chao, who is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, received praise for the qualifications she brings to the position from members on both sides of the political spectrum.
“It would be hard to come up with a more qualified nominee than Secretary Chao for this important role,” Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Thune of South Dakota said on the floor ahead of the vote.”The agency Secretary Chao has been nominated to lead plays a vital role in facilitating and promoting the safe and efficient movement of goods and people throughout the country and around the world. Our economy is truly dependent upon a thriving transportation sector.”
West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin said he was confident Chao would excel in the position.
“When Secretary Chao and I met she pledged to work with me to begin investing in important infrastructure projects like the King Coal Highway, Coalfields Expressway, Corridor H, upgrades of our roads and bridges, and improvements to airport infrastructure and rural airport service,” he said. “We also discussed the importance of investing in our digital infrastructure by supporting broadband deployment in hard-to-serve places like West Virginia. Secretary Chao understands the needs of rural America are unique and require a different approach than more urban environments and I look forward to working with her.”
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