He was the face of the beleaguered U.S. transportation network when a system breakdown prompted the cancellation of over 1,300 flights.
WASHINGTON — The nation's transportation secretary usually holds one of the most public-facing roles in any presidential administration. A core aspect of the Cabinet job is to travel the country, doling out millions of public dollars and attending ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new bridges, overpasses and ports.
Buttigieg appeared to lean in to his role as the face of the beleaguered American transportation network. Appearing the same day at a Transportation Research Board conference, he called it"another challenging day for U.S. aviation" and said his department was"pivoting to understanding the cause of the issue.
"I told him, 'When you walk in the door and turn the lights on, there's going to be a crisis. And every day there'll be one or more,'" LaHood said."When something goes wrong, you become the face of it." Similarly, another major part of Buttigieg's department, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since last fall, when Steven Cliff resigned just three months after his confirmation to run the California Air Resources Board.
But Republican politicians have been quick to pile on Buttigieg, perhaps seeking to damage the prospects of a young Democratic star who has already run for president once. Cruz is expected to assume the role of the top Republican on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which has jurisdiction over aviation.
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