Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy faced criticism from Senate Democrats during a Tuesday hearing over his recent participation in a reality television-style series featuring a cross-country road trip with his family.

The questioning occurred during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing focused on the Department of Transportation's budget and operations. Democrats raised concerns about the ethics of Duffy's involvement in what they characterized as a reality show format.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York was among the most vocal critics, telling Duffy during the hearing that "it doesn't smell right." Gillibrand also criticized the transportation secretary for posting a video that she said bragged about withholding federal funding from New York state, though the specific details of this funding dispute were not elaborated upon in the hearing.

According to available information, the road trip series is being filmed in commemoration of the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary. The program appears to follow Duffy and his family as they travel across the country, though the specific format and distribution plans for the series remain unclear.

Democrats characterized the program as unethical, raising questions about whether it was appropriate for a sitting cabinet secretary to participate in such a production while serving in an official government capacity. Duffy defended his participation in the series during the contentious hearing.

The hearing highlighted ongoing tensions between Democratic lawmakers and the transportation secretary over both policy matters and questions of propriety regarding his media activities while serving in the Biden administration.