Going Deep on New Administration Officials

Since Inauguration Day, the U.S. Senate has been actively processing and confirming nominations for President Trump’s cabinet. While several appointments have received national media attention, the Hardwood Federation team wants to highlight a few lower-profile but equally important nominees who show promise in advancing our public policy priorities.

Secretary Sean Duffy: A Champion for Forestry and Transportation Reform
One key appointment is Secretary Sean Duffy, a former House lawmaker from Wisconsin’s 7th District who has been a strong advocate for the forestry and forest products industries. During his time in Congress, Duffy led the Safe Routes Act, a truck weight reform bill that allows trucks operating at the maximum gross vehicle weight on state roads to maintain that weight on federal interstate highways. This legislation is crucial for the logging sector, as current federal weight limits force log trucks onto narrow state roads that pass through small towns and residential areas.

Why is this important? Many states provide a weight tolerance of up to 10% for log trucks due to variations in raw timber moisture content, making precise weight estimation challenging. However, federal interstate highways impose a strict 80,000-pound weight cap, meaning that trucks carrying slightly over this limit must take less efficient and often more dangerous routes. Duffy’s bill proposes a common-sense reform that would allow fully loaded log trucks weighing up to 84,000 pounds to access the interstate when practical.

Benefits of the Bill:

• Improves transportation efficiency
• Enhances road safety by reducing truck traffic through small towns
• Utilizes federal highways engineered for heavier loads

With his background in forestry policy and personal connections in the industry, Duffy is well-positioned to support truck weight reform in Congress and explore executive actions that could implement pilot programs within his department. Notably, his nomination was approved unanimously by the full Senate, demonstrating broad bipartisan support.

Secretary of Labor Nominee: Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Another significant appointment is Lori Chavez-DeRemer, nominated as Secretary of Labor and scheduled for a Senate hearing next week. A former Representative from Oregon’s 5th District, she played a key role in workforce development legislation, serving as the Republican lead on the Jobs in the Woods Act, which funds workforce training programs in forestry and sawmilling.

Chavez-DeRemer worked closely with bipartisan lawmakers, including Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), as part of the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, a group dedicated to advancing common-sense, bipartisan solutions. Her nomination will be closely watched, as she is expected to receive support from both sides of the aisle. However, her previous support for the PRO Act, a pro-labor bill, may result in some Republican opposition.

New Leadership at the EPA and USDA
Two other key appointments—Lee Zeldin as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture—bring new leader-ship to critical departments that impact the hardwood industry.

• Lee Zeldin (EPA Administrator): A former New York Congressman, Zeldin was not known for environmental policy leadership but had a smooth Senate confirmation. The Hardwood Federation is optimistic about working with him to push for EPA recognition of biomass combustion emissions as carbon-neutral in federal air quality programs. His nomination passed 56-42, with some bipartisan support.
• Brooke Rollins (Secretary of Agriculture): Her nomination was unanimously approved (28-0) by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, with expectations for full Senate confirmation soon. Rollins has engaged with lawmakers on trade policy, tariffs, and Farm Bill negotiations, signaling a willingness to support new trade agreements that could benefit the hardwood industry.

Looking Ahead
With the 119th Congress off to a fast-paced start, the Hardwood Federation team is ac-tively engaging with key officials and their staff to ensure our industry’s priorities are heard. As more administration positions are filled, we will continue to advocate for policies that strengthen the hardwood sector and promote sustainable growth.

We look forward to working with these new leaders and keeping our members informed about developments that impact the industry.

By DANA COLE,
Executive Director of the Hardwood Federation