January 07, 2021

Duckworth Meets with Transportation Secretary Nominee Pete Buttigieg

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), the Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, yesterday held a virtual meeting with Pete Buttigieg, President-elect Biden’s nominee to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Duckworth and Buttigieg discussed their shared priorities, such as investing in our nation’s infrastructure and transportation workers, creating good-paying jobs, reducing traffic congestion and boosting transit accessibility. If confirmed, Buttigieg would be the first openly LGBTQ+ Cabinet Secretary and youngest Transportation Secretary in our nation’s history.

“Restoring our nation’s infrastructure is absolutely critical to rebuilding our economy and creating good-paying jobs in Illinois and across our country. After speaking with Secretary-Designate Buttigieg, I am confident that he will be an effective advocate for the major infrastructure package that we desperately need while also working tirelessly to make our transportation systems more equitable, efficient and sustainable. I also look forward to working with him to increase accessibility on our passenger rail, commuter rail, aviation and transit systems, enhance school bus safety and promote transparency surrounding the length and cost of transportation projects.”

Duckworth’s Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill that will ensure that small airports across the country support nursing moms and promote breastfeeding-friendly environments, was signed into law last November. The bill builds on Duckworth’s success in enacting a law that ensures all large and medium airports provide a clean, private space where moms can breastfeed or pump. As a result as legislation that was passed by Duckworth, DOT finally implemented a new rule requiring air carriers to disclose for the first time how many checked bags, wheelchairs and motorized scooters they damage or mishandle each month. 

Duckworth was also a vocal opponent of the Trump Administration’s efforts to reduce the number of training hours that passenger airline pilots are required to log before receiving a pilot’s license. Last Congress, Duckworth introduced legislation to make school buses safer by ensuring there are seat belts at every seat and buses are equipped with safety measures like stability control and automatic braking systems.

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