Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is appearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee this afternoon to defend President Trump’s fiscal 2027 budget request for the Department of Transportation, a hearing set against the backdrop of soaring airline prices driven by a jet fuel shortage tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The White House is asking Congress for $26.6 billion to fund the DOT, with major allocations for modernizing the Federal Aviation Administration, upgrading transportation infrastructure and technology, and boosting investment in U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industries. The request comes as the administration grapples with the economic fallout from the Iran war, which has disrupted global oil markets and sent jet fuel costs climbing.
Airline passengers are already feeling the pinch. Ticket prices have jumped sharply in recent weeks, and industry analysts warn that further increases are likely if the fuel crisis deepens. The hearing is expected to probe how the department plans to mitigate these cost pressures while advancing its broader agenda.
Adding to the strain, airports are still recovering from the Department of Homeland Security shutdown that forced the resignation of roughly 1,000 Transportation Security Administration agents. That staffing shortfall has led to longer security lines and operational delays at major hubs, compounding traveler frustration.
Duffy’s testimony comes amid a broader debate over federal spending priorities. The Iran conflict has already pushed gas prices to record highs, and lawmakers on both sides are pressing the administration for answers on how it plans to stabilize energy markets and protect consumers.
The hearing also touches on the administration’s push for infrastructure resilience. The proposed budget includes funds for upgrading aging roads, bridges, and transit systems, with an emphasis on projects that can withstand extreme weather and supply chain disruptions. Republicans have generally backed increased infrastructure spending, but some fiscal hawks are questioning the overall price tag given rising deficits.
Democrats, meanwhile, are expected to challenge Duffy on whether the budget adequately addresses the TSA staffing crisis and the broader impact of the Iran war on transportation costs. They may also link the hearing to the stalled Senate GOP immigration package, arguing that border security and transportation policy are intertwined.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. EDT. A live video feed is available above.
