Former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao Named By Trump As Secretary Of Transportation

Duties Of DOT Office of the Secretary

The Office of the Secretary (OST) oversees the formulation of national transportation policy and promotes intermodal transportation. Other responsibilities range from negotiation and implementation of international transportation agreements, assuring the fitness of US airlines, enforcing airline consumer protection regulations, issuance of regulations to prevent alcohol and illegal drug misuse in transportation systems and preparing transportation legislation.

Ms. Chao, 63, was the longest tenured Labor Secretary since World War II. She is the only member of Bush's original cabinet to have served both two terms of his presidency.

Prior to serving as Labor Secretary from 2001 to 2009, Chao was the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Transportation.

Chao immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in 1961 at age 8. Chao's father worked three jobs a day before eventually becoming a shipping magnate.

Ms Chao and her husband Mitch McConnell a Senator from Kentucky were married in 1993.