Senate confirms Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation

The Senate today confirmed former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg to serve as Secretary of Transportation, adding him to the cabinet of President Joe Biden.

“ATSSA congratulates Secretary Buttigieg on his confirmation as Secretary of Transportation,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “As the voice of roadway safety, ATSSA members are eager to work with him to significantly reduce the 36,000 men, women and children who die on U.S. roadways annually. Secretary Buttigieg’s commitment to a vision zero strategy and finding a long-term solution to funding the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) matches ATSSA’s top legislative priorities; we look forward to working together to combat roadway fatalities and serious injuries and moving towards zero deaths on America’s roads and streets.”

Buttigieg campaigned on the need for transportation and infrastructure investment throughout his bid to become the Democrats’ nominee for president. During his hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee last month, he touched on the need for shoring up revenue for the HTF, increased investment in tribal and rural roads, the future of autonomous vehicles and the need for safety to be at the forefront of any new transportation or infrastructure initiative.

The Senate Commerce Committee forwarded his nomination to the full Senate on Wednesday by a 21-3 vote.

The full Senate confirmed Buttigieg’s nomination by a vote of 86-13.