Buttigieg had ‘great ideas’ for DOT. Did he follow through?

By Mike Lee | 01/17/2025 06:24 AM EST

The Democratic star had promised his department would be integral to Biden administration efforts to tackle climate change and create good-paying jobs.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg testifies May 2 before Congress on his agency's budget.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg testifies May 2 before Congress on his agency's budget. Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took office nearly four years ago with the twin goals of improving the nation’s infrastructure and transforming his agency into an engine of job creation and climate action.

He will leave with those ambitions partly fulfilled.

Few members of the Biden team can match Buttigieg’s enthusiasm for the bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021, which directed $550 billion in new spending over five years toward fixing and upgrading the nation’s highways, railways and airports.

Advertisement

Buttigieg stumped relentlessly for the legislation, both before and after its signing, and by the time he departs his post in the next few days — when President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House — about 42 percent of the infrastructure law funding will be out the door.

GET FULL ACCESS