Elaine L. Chao was sworn in as the new Transportation Secretary by Vice President Mike Pence, after the Senate approved her nomination with a 93-6 vote on Tuesday local time.
Elaine Chao (3rd L) is sworn in by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (R) as her
father James Chao (2nd L) and her husband Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch
McConnell (R-KY) (L) look on during a ceremony at the Vice President's
ceremonial office at Eisenhower Executive Office Building on January 31, 2017 in
Washington, DC. Chao, a former U.S. labor secretary, was sworn in to become the
Transportation Secretary for the Trump administration.
Elaine Chao (3rd L) is sworn in by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (R) as her
father James Chao (2nd L) and her husband Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch
McConnell (R-KY) (L) look on during a ceremony at the Vice President's
ceremonial office at Eisenhower Executive Office Building on January 31, 2017 in
Washington, DC. Chao, a former U.S. labor secretary, was sworn in to become the
Transportation Secretary for the Trump administration.
During the ceremony, Pence expressed President Trump's and his gratitude towards Chao’s willingness to serve America, and noted that her leadership and experience will serve America well as the secretary of transportation.
Elaine Chao (3rd L) signs the affidavit of appointment as U.S. Vice President
Mike Pence (L), her father James Chao (2nd L) and her husband Senate Majority
Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (L) look on during a swearing in ceremony at
the Vice President's ceremonial office at Eisenhower Executive Office Building on January 31, 2017 in Washington, DC. Chao, a former U.S. labor secretary, was
sworn in to become the Transportation Secretary for the Trump administration.
Elaine Chao (3rd L) signs the affidavit of appointment as U.S. Vice President
Mike Pence (L), her father James Chao (2nd L) and her husband Senate Majority
Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (L) look on during a swearing in ceremony at
the Vice President's ceremonial office at Eisenhower Executive Office Building on January 31, 2017 in Washington, DC. Chao, a former U.S. labor secretary, was
sworn in to become the Transportation Secretary for the Trump administration.
Analysts say the new secretary will face a very busy year. President Trump has proposed massive infrastructure plans to build roads, bridges and airports over the next decade. Another top project is how to deal with fierce competition faced by US companies from foreign airlines. Some American airline companies claim competitors from Emirates, Etihad and Qatar received unfair subsidies in the past and so they hope the authorities will block these companies being granted additional flights. The foreign companies in question all deny receiving unfair subsidies.
During an interview with CGTN, Chao also noted that repair of existing infrastructure will be on her agenda as well, as reliable infrastructure is crucial to productivity. She says it needs collaborative work from the Trump administration.
Elaine Chao was born in Taipei, Taiwan and was the first Asian-American woman to be appointed to a US president's cabinet. She served as deputy secretary of transportation before and the 24th US Secretary of Labor from 2001 – 2009.
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