Full Senate confirms Chao as DOT Secretary

The Senate today confirmed Elaine L. Chao as secretary of transportation, making her the 18th secretary in the Department of Transportation's 50-year history.

Chao, 63, succeeds Anthony Foxx, who had been nominated by then-President Barack Obama in 2013 and served until Trump's inauguration on January 20.

Chao was arguably the least controversial of President Donald J. Trump's Cabinet nominees, owing largely to her experience at DOT and at the Department of Labor. She had served as deputy transport secretary in the George H.W. Bush administration, as well as Federal Maritime Commission chair and deputy maritime administration under President Ronald Reagan. She also served as Secretary of Labor for all eight years of the George W. Bush administration.

Chao is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).