Buttigieg confirmed as DOT secretary, the industry reacts

Buttigieg

Pete Buttigieg, the former Democratic presidential candidate and mayor of South Bend, Indiana, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the secretary of transportation.

The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) issued a statement on Buttigieg’s confirmation, giving credit to politicians on both sides of the aisle.

“We applaud the efforts of both the Republicans and Democrats in the Senate for working together to quickly confirm the nomination of Pete Buttigieg,” says Michael Johnson, president and CEO of NSSGA. “Our Transportation Department needs a dynamic leader like Buttigieg, who as a former mayor has extremely valuable hands-on experience in infrastructure planning and development.

“Our highways, roads and bridges are an essential piece of every community, as they serve as a lifeline for so many Americans in both rural and urban areas,” Johnson adds. “They physically connect people with their extended family and friends, groceries and restaurants, health care and activities, as well as places of work and worship. Beyond that, they are also quite literally the economic circulatory system for our nation. Therefore, it is key to have a long-term highway trust fund plan in future infrastructure proposals, as well as solve the financial issues of the Highway Trust Fund.

NSSGA supports advancing effective infrastructure policies such as a multi-year highway reauthorization bill, fixing the Highway Trust Fund and continued pandemic relief for state Departments of Transportation.

“NSSGA looks forward to working forward with Secretary Buttigieg and his department on implementing effective infrastructure policies,” Johnson says.

Another reaction

Brian McGuire, president of the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), also applauded Buttigieg’s confirmation.

“AED congratulates Pete Buttigieg on his confirmation to serve as President Biden’s Transportation Secretary,” McGuire says. “The hard work starts immediately, as Secretary Buttigieg inherits a neglected transportation infrastructure and a highway trust that’s on the verge of insolvency. I’m confident that with Secretary Buttigieg’s leadership and President Biden’s bold infrastructure vision, these enduring issues will be addressed and America’s transportation infrastructure will once again be the envy of the world.

“There is no better way to create jobs and economic opportunity across the country than investing in rebuilding the United States’ dilapidated infrastructure,” McGuire adds. “Our leaders can’t continue to sit by and watch our nation’s infrastructure crumble, putting off tough decisions for the next generation. AED looks forward to working with the president, Secretary Buttigieg and congressional leaders to create a sustainable and impactful recovery that ensures economic security, stability and prosperity for all Americans.”