Pete Buttigieg Confirmed as Secretary of Transportation
The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg, has been confirmed by the Senate in a vote of 86 - 13 to be the Secretary of Transportation for the Biden White House. Pete Buttigieg, who many continue to call "Mayor Pete," tweeted in response shortly after the confirmation, “I am honored and humbled by today's vote in the Senate and ready to get to work.”
A Rising Star in the Political Sphere
Pete Buttigieg quickly rose to the national spotlight when he put his bid in for the 2020 presidential race. He catapulted in popularity for his progressive views that resonated with younger generations, particularly millennials. Buttigieg campaigned with policies that included abolishing the United States electoral college and protecting the environment by addressing the threats of climate change. The former mayor was also an advocate of access to affordable healthcare and providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who were in the United States.
Though Buttigieg became a household name during his presidential campaign, Buttigieg dropped out of the presidential race after finishing fourth in the South Carolina primaries. Shortly after, he formally endorsed Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination.
Diversity Playing a Key Role in Biden's Cabinet
Buttigieg is the latest addition to what is one of the most diverse presidential cabinets in history. At 39, Buttigieg will be the youngest cabinet member in the Biden administration. In a historic first, he will also be the nation’s first openly gay man to be confirmed by the Senate for a cabinet position.
A handful of individuals have been confirmed to Biden's cabinet, and so far the appointed officials compose a diverse group who reflect the nation in which they will serve. Avril Haines, who was confirmed as the Director of National Intelligence, will be the first woman to head that department. Alejandro Mayorkas was announced as the Secretary of Homeland Security and is the first immigrant of Latin descent to hold the position. Retired General Lloyd Austin was also confirmed in late January as the Secretary of Defense and will be the first African American in that role as well.
Many other nominations are still waiting on their confirmation. They include Cecilia Rouse, who is slated to be the chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisers. She would be the first African American to chair the department if confirmed. Katherine Tai would also be the first woman of color to hold the position of U.S. Trade Representative if confirmed.
Unlike previous presidents who had their cabinet picks confirmed soon after their inauguration, the Biden administration has taken a slower pace. After the transition, temporary officials have been placed to lead departments until a permanent official is named.
Department of Transportation Leans Toward Clean Energy
As Secretary of Transportation, Buttigieg will lead the Department's oversight on everything from federal highways, railroads, air traffic, and even pipelines. Collectively, this department employs over 55,000 workers.
Throughout his presidential campaign, Joe Biden made it a point to address climate change and highlight his efforts to push the nation into clean energy. Speaking on the nation's infrastructure, Biden explained that he intended to obtain funding "to build more climate-resilient communities to deal with more extreme floods, droughts and super storms."
As the Secretary of Transportation, Buttigieg will oversee proposed infrastructure improvement plans that aim to be economically friendly and complement these "climate-resilient communities." Biden has described these infrastructure improvement programs as a means to “build back better,” going as far as describing one proposal as the “second great railroad revolution.”
While Buttigieg brings with him an exemplary resume of leadership and experience in public service, his new role of Secretary of Transportation will be his biggest yet.
