WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - President-elect Donald

Trump's nominee to head the U.S. Transportation Department said

Boeing ( BA ) needs "tough love" to get back on track after a 2024

mid-air emergency and that electric vehicles should pay to use

roads.

"We have to make sure they are implementing their safety

plan. We have to push the (Federal Aviation Administration) to

make sure they're implementing their safety plan," former House

lawmaker Sean Duffy told the Senate Committee at his

confirmation hearing.

Duffy said he would work "with Congress and the FAA to

restore global confidence in Boeing ( BA ) and to ensure our skies are

safe."

"Boeing ( BA ) is a national security issue. Boeing ( BA ) is the largest

exporter of American product - incredibly important. In one of

my meetings someone said though they need tough love, which is

what they do need," Duffy said.

The FAA is maintaining tougher oversight of Boeing ( BA )

indefinitely, a year after a door panel missing four bolts flew

off a new Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 in mid-air.

It has also barred Boeing ( BA ) from expanding production beyond 38

MAX planes per month.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker plans to step down on Jan.

20, while Deputy FAA Administrator Katie Thomson left the agency

last week. Trump has not yet named a new nominee to head the

department.

Most revenue for federally funded road repairs is collected

through taxes on diesel and gasoline, which EVs do not pay.

"They should pay for use of our roads. How to do that, I think,

is a little more challenging," said Duffy.

Some states charge fees for electric vehicles to cover road

repair costs. Congress for the past three decades has opted not

to hike taxes and instead used general tax revenue to address

shortfalls in the federal highway trust fund.