Former Democratic presidential nomination Pete Buttigieg became the openly gay prime minister in U.S. history on Tuesday, after the Senate confirmed his appointment as transport secretary.
Joe Biden’s new minister, who promised safer, more modern and greener infrastructure, got 86 votes in favor, and 13 against.
“Mr. Buttigieg is committed to working with members of both parties to improve rail and transit, highways and more, ”Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer said ahead of the vote, citing rural communities and communities. urban centers.
“We must rebuild our economy better than ever and the Department of Transport can play a central role in achieving this,” Pete Buttigieg, 39, said during his hearing on January 21 before senators, the usual procedure before any ministerial appointment. .
He also insisted on the will of the Biden administration to ensure equity in access to transport, and pleaded for more proximity with local elected officials.
Former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, he assured that his experience as a local elected representative of a small American town would make it possible to address national issues in a more concrete way.
During his presidential campaign, Joe Biden unveiled a 10-year investment plan to build schools, roads, bridges, railways and pipelines, and usher in a clean energy economy.
Pete Buttigieg, who had made himself known to the general public by being a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the presidential election, was, during the campaign, regularly accompanied by her husband Chasten.