Pete Buttigieg now US secretary of transportation
The former candidate for president and political rival to Joe Biden is now
By Michael McGrady, Maritime Direct Americas Correspondent
Pete Buttigieg is now the secretary of Transportation for the United States of America.
President Joe Biden appointed Buttigieg for the position soon after the new administration began the transition process after officially winning the November 2020 Presidential Election.
Buttigieg won massive support from both Democrats and Republicans in the US Senate.
After advancing out of the committee phase, the entire upper house of Congress confirmed the recommendation for Buttigieg to serve as the secretary of Transportation with a vote, 86 to 13, in favor of the action.
Opposing political makeup
The thirteen Republican senators to vote against Buttigieg include Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex. — both perpetrators of the repeatedly debunked claims that former President Donald Trump lost the election to Biden due to rampant voter fraud.
Cruz and Hawley have never furnished any proof of these claims, as is the case for other proponents of this conspiracy theory.
Hawley, a social conservative, also voted against all five of the high profile appointees Biden’s administration named to positions across the executive branch. This includes Buttigieg.
Cruz’s opposition, including several other senators in this class, also come because of claims that Buttigieg is in “lockstep” with Biden’s so-called “radical energy policy.”
Supporting political makeup
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wa., the incoming chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced her support for Buttigieg in floor remarks before the final vote took place on February 2.
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the committee’s outgoing chair, also announced his support for Buttigieg after he mustered the vote that advanced the young politician to the next phase of the process.
The Department of Transportation regulates virtually all aspects of US transit.
This includes the maritime segment through the US Maritime Administration (MARAD).
Maritime Direct has reported extensively on the approval progress for Biden’s picks for MARAD and Transportation.
Industry support
Maritime industry leaders applauded Buttigieg’s rise to transportation secretary, despite having no official ties or experience to the industry.
WorkBoat reports that several industry trade groups applauded the young 39-year-old former US Navy intelligence officer’s confirmation.
For instance, American Waterways Operators president and chief executive Jennifer Carpenter called this move exciting for the industry’s several segments.
“We look forward to working with him and his team at DOT to foster policies that position the tugboat, towboat and barge industry to continue making vital contributions to America’s economic, national and homeland security,” said Carpenter.
USA Maritime Coalition sent a letter to Senate leadership voicing its support for Buttigieg.
Groups including the American Maritime Congress, the Transportation Institute, US Ocean, Maersk Line Limited, and the Seafarers International Union are signatories to the Coalition.
“On behalf of the undersigned United States-flag shipping companies, American maritime labor organizations, and related maritime associations belonging to the USA Maritime Coalition, we are writing to convey our support for the nomination of Peter Buttigieg to be Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation,” the letter says.
