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NEW: Buttigieg Says Transportation Dept. Will Push 'Bold' Thinking

(KEN CEDENO/POOL VIA AP)

NEW (FEB. 3):

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Buttigieg, newly sworn in as transportation secretary, is urging his 55,000 employees to embrace “imaginative, bold, forward thinking” as the Transportation Department embarks on a vital mission to rebuild America’s infrastructure and foster equality. In an email message to employees, which was obtained by The Associated Press, Buttigieg said the department will continue to prioritize safety. But he says he looks forward to working with them to “break new ground” to help the economy rebuild, fight the climate crisis and and make sure "transportation is an engine for equity in this country.” Buttigieg, a 39-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, was sworn in as transportation secretary Wednesday morning by Vice President Kamala Harris. 

ORIGINAL POST (FEB. 2):  

Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg is now officially the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. The Senate overwhelmingly voted to confirm Buttigieg’s nomination Tuesday, Feb. 2. 

 

On Twitter, Buttigieg said he was “honored and humbled” by the Senate’s vote – and that he was “ready to get to work.” 

 

As transportation secretary, he will face an airline and public transportation industry reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, as well as an aging infrastructure system.

 

Buttigieg has said he will use his experience as mayor to take a “bottom-up” approach to the nation’s transportation challenges. 

 

He is expected to help implement President Biden’s climate change initiatives by strengthening fuel economy standards and working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

At 39, Buttigieg is one of the youngest Cabinet members in U.S. history and the first openly gay Cabinet secretary confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Richard Grenell, who is openly gay, served as acting National Intelligence Director Under President Donald Trump, but did not have to face Senate confirmation.

 

Senator Mike Braun, the Indiana Democratic Party and University of Notre Dame President Father John Jenkins have all extended their congratulations to Buttigieg so far.

Contact Gemma atgdicarlo@wvpe.orgor follow her on Twitter at@gemma_dicarlo.

 

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Gemma DiCarlo came to Indiana by way of Athens, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2020 with a degree in Journalism and certificates in New Media and Sustainability. She has radio experience from her time as associate producer of Athens News Matters, the flagship public affairs program at WUGA-FM.