Democrats slam Duffy over privately funded road trip ethics at Senate hearing

At a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing, top Democrats pressed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over a reality-TV–style road trip paid for by a nonprofit and industry sponsors, with Gillibrand calling it “100 percent illegal” and pay-for-play. Duffy and the DOT defended the trip, saying no taxpayer dollars were spent and ethics reviews cleared participation, while Duffy claimed the trip promoted tourism during America’s 250th birthday. The live update also touches on other Capitol Hill budget and policy developments, including housing legislation, the White House ballroom funding, and new DOJ initiatives.