Biden appointments preparing to enter office
President-elect Joe Biden is due to be sworn into office on Wednesday, January 20.
By Michael McGrady, Maritime Direct Americas Correspondent
Democratic President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are due to be sworn into the United States of America’s highest offices.
Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg was named by to lead the Department of Transportation — the department regulator of shipping and the maritime industry.
Buttigieg, a former Democratic presidential candidate who lost to Biden and endorsed him, will also be the first openly LGBTQ cabinet secretary to be approved and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Buttigieg is said to be a central player for “greening the American economy” and adopting policies that promote clean transportation, including in shipping and maritime sectors. In a recent appointment, reports WorkBoat, the Department of Commerce under Biden is due to be led by Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo.
Once confirmed, Raimondo will oversee the department that encompasses the National Marine Fisheries Service, the National Ocean Service, and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
While these appointments need final confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Buttigieg and Raimondo will be crucial players in maritime policy moving forward.
On January 6, pro-Trump rioters invaded the U.S. Capitol Building in an attempt to intervene with the final vote confirming the election results. At least four people have died — including the fatal passing of a Capitol Police Officer by suicide.
In response to the Capitol’s January 6 invasion, Trump-appointed Transporation Secretary Elaine Chao announced her resignation. As Maritime Direct previously reported, Chao is a major proponent of the maritime sector.
