Senate Dem presses Trump’s Transportation pick on travel ban

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) is pressing Elaine Chao for her stance on President Trump’s recent executive order on immigration ahead of Tuesday’s floor vote on whether to confirm her as Transportation secretary.

Nelson, the top Democrat on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, sent a letter to Chao on Monday asking her whether she agrees with the order, which drastically restricts immigration and refugee resettlement.

He also wants to know whether the administration sought the advice of Chao, who is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and ran the Labor Department under former President George W. Bush, when crafting the policy.

{mosads}“If not, do you think the U.S. Department of Transportation should be included in discussions of any further travel restrictions to minimize passenger and industry disruptions?” Nelson asked.

Trump issued the sweeping executive order on Friday, which bans immigrants from seven predominately Muslim countries for 90 days, halts refugee resettlements for four months and indefinitely suspends Syrian refugee resettlement.

The executive order sparked confusion, chaos and protests at airports over the weekend as some passengers were detained or denied entry into the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security also had to eventually clarify that legal permanent residents with green cards are exempt from the ban.

Nelson wants to know whether Chao thinks airlines should be reimbursed for the disruptions and confusion at Customs processing due to the “lack of clear communication from the administration.”

Chao, who is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate, was unanimously endorsed by the Transportation Committee and has wide support from both sides of the aisle.

Nelson is not expected to pull his support based on Chao’s answers to the letter, a spokesman said, though he is anticipating a response before Tuesday’s floor vote at noon.

A press release from his office also noted that “barring any setbacks, Chao’s nomination is slated to come before the full Senate on Tuesday.”