Mr. Duffy, a former congressman who had appeared on track to sail through with little opposition, overcame a last-minute swell of Democratic anger over the White House’s sweeping funding freeze.

The Senate confirmed Sean Duffy to lead the Transportation Department on Tuesday in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote. Duffy was confirmed on Tuesday, 77-22, with several Democrats voting with Republicans to confirm his nomination.

President Donald Trump’s choice for Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, sailed through his confirmation vote on Tuesday, positioning him to carry out Trump’s agenda for the rail, automobile and airline industries.