washington elaine chao former top u.s. labor official swear tuesday lead u.s. transportation department overseas aviation vehicle train pipeline safety chao former u.s. labor secretary deputy transportation secretary take office hours u.s. senate vote 93 confirm chao 63 face key decisions regulate grow use drone automakers plan offer self-driving cars also key player president donald trump cabinet administration push ahead major infrastructure spend program businessman-turned-politician promise last year presidential campaign leadership experience serve well secretary transportation oversee anticipate historic investments nation roads bridge airports future say vice president mike pence administer oath office chao chao tweet honor rejoin extraordinary people usdot begin work rebuild america infrastructure transportation department 75 billion annual budget 60,000 employees include federal aviation administration handle air traffic control chao wife republican senate majority leader mitch mcconnell first asian-american woman hold cabinet position also decide whether u.s. fuel efficiency standards revise automakers seek dozens pending regulatory issue face next administration include railroad safety staff rule whether set rule require airlines give passengers disabilities seat extra leg room whether ban restrict personal phone call u.s. flight confirmation hear month chao decline take position number issue include whether air traffic control job privatize concern safety shipments crude oil rail foreign airlines push move u.s. market regulation develop technologies aaa large u.s. auto club 50 million members praise chao confirmation aaa ceo marshall doney say group firmly believe significant additional investments need maintain exist infrastructure enhance nation transportation system alliance automobile manufacturers represent major u.s. foreign automakers say autonomous vehicles safety fuel efficiency infrastructure secretary chao leadership profoundly impact sector many others u.s. senate approve chao lead transportation department