Buttigieg confirmed by Senate to lead Department of Transportation

On Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Biden nominee Pete Buttigieg to head the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Buttigieg, 39, will take on the role of Secretary of Transportation in the Biden administration following his confirmation by a Senate vote of 86-13.

Buttigieg is expected to play a major role in the advancement of Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan.

Buttigieg becomes the youngest member of Biden’s cabinet as well as the first openly gay Cabinet secretary.

Buttigieg formerly served as Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, before making a brief run for the Democratic nomination for President. He served as an intelligence officer in the Navy prior to entering public service.

Buttigieg will take the reins from Deputy Secretary of Transportation Steve Bradbury, who took over the DOT on January 12 after Elaine Chao announced her resignation on January 7 in the wake of the siege of the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

I’m honored and humbled by today’s vote in the Senate—and ready to get to work @USDOT.

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 2, 2021