Rep. Chuy Garcia Questions DOT Secretary Sean Duffy on Budget Cuts and DBE Program

Concerns Over DOT Funding and Immigration Policy

• 🏛️ Representative Chuy Garcia expressed concern over the Department of Transportation's (DOT) actions, citing funding pauses and firings that he believes hinder the department's ability to disburse funds.
• 🚫 Garcia criticized the directive to withhold funding for local immigration cooperation, arguing that DOT funding is unrelated to immigration enforcement and that this action is illegal, as indicated by a recent court ruling.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

• ⚖️ Garcia highlighted the importance of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, presenting a letter from DBEEs nationwide supporting its continuation.
• 📈 He stated that the program has historically helped to "level the playing field" for small businesses owned by minorities and women in a sector known for exclusion.

Proposed Budget Cuts to Small Business Support

• ✂️ Garcia questioned Secretary Duffy about the proposed 2026 budget, specifically its aim to eliminate funding for Small Business Transportation Resource Centers.
• 💡 These centers provide crucial technical assistance and business advising to small businesses in the transportation industry, with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce having assisted over 700 business owners.

Secretary Duffy's Response and Budget Justification

• 🗣️ Secretary Duffy responded by stating there are no plans to "cancel small businesses" but alluded to past "race preferences" as a reason for budget considerations.
• ❓ Garcia pressed for a direct answer regarding the budget's impact on small businesses and whether it would impede ICE, but his time expired before a full response.