Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg was confirmed to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) by an 86-13 Senate vote, sparking reactions from the outdoor recreation industry.
Buttigieg will be tasked with advancing President Joe Biden’s agenda to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure, RVIA stated.
“We look forward to working closely with Secretary Buttigieg, a South Bend, Indiana, native just down the road from the center of the RV industry in Elkhart,” RVIA’s VP of Government Affairs Jay Landers said. “Infrastructure is a bipartisan issue that is important not just for the RVers on our nation’s highways but also for the critical infrastructure on our public lands, including access to campgrounds.”
Prior to Buttigieg’s confirmation, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) stated its strong support for the former mayor. ORR outlined the important role transportation infrastructure would have in the next infrastructure debate, along with policies related to reauthorization of surface transportation legislation.
“ORR is more than excited to get working with (former) Mayor Buttigieg and the Department of Transportation on efforts to modernize our transportation networks and infrastructure to provide access to quality outdoor recreation,” ORR acting Executive Director Lindsey Davis said. “If there is anything we have seen over the past year, and really over the past decade, it is that Americans want access to more of the outdoors our nation has to offer. Modernizing our transportation infrastructure and bolstering DOT programs like the Recreational Trails Program, Federal Lands Transportation Program, the National Scenic Byways Program and the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund will make a huge difference to allowing more Americans to safely and efficiently enjoy outdoor recreation.”
Buttigieg is expected to assist in promoting Biden’s green initiatives, RVIA stated, including helping to reinstate automotive fuel economy standards and supporting the president’s push on a $2 trillion climate and infrastructure plan. Rebuilding roads and bridges, expanding zero-emission mass transit and boosting electric vehicle infrastructure including building 500,000 charging stations over the next decade are priorities highlighted in that plan.
“I am honored and humbled by today’s vote in the Senate – and ready to get to work,” Buttigieg stated on Twitter.
