President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenNewsom taps Shirley Weber to serve as California secretary of state White House wishes Birx well after she announces retirement Karl Rove tears into Michael Flynn, Sidney Powell over election claims MORE‘s Transportation nominee Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegTransportation nominee Buttigieg says millions of new electric vehicles needed on US roads Overnight Energy: Spending bill aims to reduce emissions, spur energy development | Biden assembles team to enact ambitious climate agenda | CDC questioned EPA rule declining to impose tougher soot regulations Biden assembles team to enact ambitious climate agenda MORE called for the use of more electric cars on U.S. roads in a tweet on Tuesday, giving a preview of his potential agenda as Transportation secretary.
“To meet the climate crisis, we must put millions of new electric vehicles on America’s roads. It’s time to build public charging infrastructure powered by clean energy and make it available in all parts of this country,” Buttigieg tweeted on Monday.
Biden nominated Buttigieg to the post last week, praising his work as the mayor of South Bend, Ind.
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“Pete’s got the perspective of a mayor that solves problems and brings people together,” Biden said last week, formally introducing Buttigieg as his nominee. “For example, helping cities and states to keep transit systems running for front-line and essential workers, and then helping them modernize their airports, ports, and railways to attract and retain businesses and workers.”
If confirmed, Buttigieg will be the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet member confirmed by the Senate.
Buttigieg spoke about the nation’s leading transportation post in an interview with CNN on Sunday.
“We can’t keep letting infrastructure week be a Washington punch line,” Buttigieg told CNN’s Jake TapperJacob (Jake) Paul TapperTransportation nominee Buttigieg says millions of new electric vehicles needed on US roads Hillicon Valley: Barr says Russia appears to be behind massive hack | billion for broadband in end-of-year package | Apple to close California stores Slaoui says U.S. to send 8 million vaccine doses to states MORE.
“Americans shouldn’t settle for less when it comes to our roads and our bridges, our highways, our trains — all of the infrastructure that really powers our economy and creates so many livelihoods,” he said.