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Transportation

What We Know About Pete Buttigieg’s Transportation Record

Biden’s Secretary of Transportation nominee gave a preview of what his ideas might look like during his own presidential campaign — and in his record as mayor.

“Americans shouldn’t settle for less than our peers in the developed world when it comes to our roads and bridges, railways, and transit systems,” former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg said in accepting his nomination for transportation secretary Wednesday, Dec. 16. 

“Americans shouldn’t settle for less than our peers in the developed world when it comes to our roads and bridges, railways, and transit systems,” former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg said in accepting his nomination for transportation secretary Wednesday, Dec. 16. 

Photographer: Kevin Lamarque-Pool/Getty Images

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With the pandemic’s financial fallout threatening the futures of local governments and transportation systems, the next U.S. Secretary of Transportation has a bigger-than-usual job to do. Yet city officials and transportation leaders are hopeful for meaningful reform after President-elect Joe Biden nominated Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend and Democratic primary candidate. 

“So happy a fellow Mayor will be running @USDOT. Mayors understand where the rubber hits the road,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a congratulatory tweet to Buttigieg. “I know you will help us & cities across America as we overcome COVID & recover.” The U.S. Conference of Mayors expressed a similar sentiment in a statement, adding, “We are confident that his leadership at this moment will help bring the voices of local leaders to the table.”