1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for your pointed and courageous questioning of Secretary Duffy during the recent Senate Appropriations hearing for the Department of Transportation. Your efforts to hold leadership accountable are not only commendable, but vital to preserving the integrity, equity, and effectiveness of the Department and the infrastructure it governs. The harm inflicted by the Department’s recent use of Directed Reassignment Programs (DRPs) cannot be overstated. These policies have resulted in the loss of experienced, talented, and mission-driven public servants—individuals whose institutional knowledge and dedication are irreplaceable. This exodus is already weakening the Department’s capacity to serve the public, and it sends a chilling message to those still working under uncertain and increasingly politicized conditions. Your decision to spotlight this issue made clear that these staff are not invisible and that their service and treatment matter. Moreover, it was troubling to hear Secretary Duffy attempt to validate policy choices based on his and his family’s “lived experience,” particularly when that experience comes from a place of economic and racial privilege. To reference personal anecdotes in place of policy evidence, while claiming to represent a diverse and struggling nation, reflects a serious lack of perspective. It is not only inappropriate but also undermines the lived experiences of those in marginalized and underserved communities who stand to bear the brunt of policy decisions made without their voices at the table. Equally concerning was Secretary Duffy’s continued emphasis on speed in building infrastructure, as though haste is an end in itself. Rushing projects without due attention to safety, environmental impacts, and equitable outcomes will inevitably put lives and communities at risk. His narrow focus on acceleration overlooks the long-term harm that poorly planned projects can inflict—especially on communities that have historically borne the costs of transportation expansion without reaping its benefits. Finally, his complaints about grant programs from the previous administration, without offering full context or acknowledging their benefits, further undercut his credibility. Oversight of those grants must be rooted in facts, not partisan dismissal. These programs were often designed to address precisely the issues now being neglected—climate resilience, equity, and sustainable development. Your sharp and principled line of questioning cut through political theater and laid bare the real issues at stake. Thank you for continuing to champion accountability, public service, and a transportation system that serves all Americans—not just the fastest or the wealthiest. Please continue your oversight, and know that many of us deeply appreciate your leadership.