Elaine Chao confirmed as Transportation secretary by Senate
The Senate has confirmed Elaine Chao to serve as Transportation secretary in the Trump administration.
The vote was 93-6 on Tuesday. Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley, Kirsten Gillibrand, Chuck Schumer, Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker all voted against confirmation, along with Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Chao is an experienced Washington hand. She was labor secretary under President George W. Bush, and is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
McConnell voted present.
Chao would be a lead actor in pursuing Trump’s promise to invest $1 trillion to improve highways, rail service and other infrastructure projects.
