[[{“value”:”Former presidential candidate and former secretary of transportation of the United States, Pete Buttigieg, said he’s uncertain whether or not he’ll run for office afterwards.
Buttigieg made the comments during an interview on” Face the Nation”, where he discussed the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and ongoing issues with Boeing.
Ed O’Keeefe inquired of the Transportation Secretary about his possible probable second Biden term by sticking around for another four years.
You’re going to be sticking about, you know, if the President is elected four more years after this year? O’Keefe asked.
” Suddenly, I’m right now, totally focused on doing a good job in the job that I have.” The President asked me to do this work, and I’m honored and humbled. Also in those early days, we were aware that we would be pursuing the biggest infrastructure package, in particular in my lifetime, and we were allowed to pass that through Congress. Now that we’re out that, Buttigieg said,” we’re delivering that.”
” We never could have seen coming when President Biden invited me to take on this role, such as the collapse of the Baltimore bridge that we are currently dealing with,” he said. So I got my head downward, hard at work and hoping to do best by the trust that’s been placed in me and really proud of the 55, 000 people at the Department of Transportation helping us meet that mission every day”, he continued.
” I know when a lot of people watch you on television these days, they may still be thinking,” Oh, I wonder if he still wants the big job one day.” Is it also something you aspire to do now that you’ve been close to it, working alongside a president? O’Keefe questioned.
” Well, I certainly have a new perspective on how demanding that job is to watch President Biden deal with so many issues, challenges, and opportunities for this country. And I’m proud to be a smaller member of the large team that supports him in accomplishing that,” Buttigieg said.
” I sincerely do n’t know what, whether I will run for elected office of any kind again, what I do know is that I’ve been asked to take on a big job. I’m proud and humble to do it. It’s challenging, rewarding, and it’s already taking up about 110 % of what I have to give right now,” he continued.
WATCH:
Pete Buttigieg:” I sincerely do n’t know whether I will run for any kind of elected office again.” pic. twitter.com/U3V2PtGpRF
The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial ) March 31, 2024
Following the Baltimore bridge disaster and a number of airline-related incidents, Buttigieg will continue to be scrutinized.
WATCH:
Americans who are worried about flying are offended by Pete Buttigieg:
I am aware that I am taking the safest form of travel in America every time I step onto an airliner, whether I’m going to look at a bridge, or whether I’m taking a flight with my husband and kids. pic. twitter.com/SfDi0wIzuB
— Julia ( @Jules31415 ) March 31, 2024
CBS News reports:
According to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, as officials focus on rebuilding efforts, the condition of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which was hit by a cargo ship, collapsed days before.
On Sunday’s” Face the Nation,” Buttigieg said,” A lot goes into how that reconstruction will be designed and how the process is going to work. He noted that he did n’t have an estimate on the rebuilding timeline, but the bridge itself took five years to initially construct. ” Right now, we do n’t fully understand the condition of the portions of the bridge that did n’t collapse.”
Second, as authorities work to remove debris and reopen the channel. Buttigieg said it remains unclear how much that process will take, but the work is “underway”. He noted the procedure for properly dismantling what remains of the bridge as it is going to be a “very complex process.”
According to Buttigieg, “it has to be done because that is the only way to get into the majority of the Port of Baltimore,” highlighting its significance for both Maryland and the nation’s supply chains.
Next there’s the process of rebuilding the bridge, which is expected to take long. According to Butlerieg, work is already being done there as well, following the federal government’s release of$ 60 million in emergency relief funding. Further emergency funds are anticipated to follow.
WATCH:
Read the entire transcript at CBS News:
Pete Buttigieg, the secretary of transportation, joins us for the most recent update. Mr. Secretary, content Easter. I appreciate you spending a portion of it with us, and fine morning.
Content Easter, U.S. SERETARY OF TRANSPORTATION PETE BUTTIGIEG. Great to be with you.
ED O’KEEFE: Part of the reason we wanted to talk with you is that, as you know, Baltimore is where we are. We’ve seen parts of airplanes soaring out of the sky, and you’ve spoken out about the fact that more than 40 000 people are killed in car accidents each year. We’re going to work our way out of some of this. But let’s begin in Baltimore. How long will it take to remove that ship, clear the debris, and reopen the channel?
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG: We have n’t yet received a schedule. But what I can tell you is the work is now afoot, parts of the non- provincial channel are already being worked on. And there is a 1,000 ton capacity lift crane on a barge currently being installed, and there is a 600 ton crane on its way to support it. There are already forces acting on that steel, which will make this process quite challenging. So it takes a lot to make sure that it can be dismantled safely, to make sure that the vessel stays where it is supposed to be and does n’t swing out into the channel. However, it must be carried out. Because of that, the majority of Baltimore’s port is accessible just by that method. And of course, it’s important not just to the people in the workers of Baltimore, but to our federal supply chains to get that port back up and running as quickly as possible. Next comes the step of raising the bridge again. That will take longer, but the work is now progressing. We’ve released the first$ 60 million in emergency relief funding through our department to go toward that work, everything from removing wreckage to design and procurement for the new bridge structure. This wo n’t occur overnight. However, we’re going to assist Maryland in doing it as fast as they can.
ED O’KEEFE: And is there any sense of how long it would take to rebuild that bridge?
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG: We have n’t received any estimates for that either. I can tell you that the construction of the classic bridge took about five years. But that does n’t necessarily inform us about the timeline on the reconstruction. How the reconstruction will be constructed and how the procedure will operate are all covered in great detail. We do n’t know everything we need to know about the condition of the bridge’s intact portions right now. Clearly, that work is live right now. Additionally, the Maryland DOT did a lot of excellent work under the direction of Governor Wes Moore. We’re providing them with funding professional assistance and any other assistance we can offer.
ED O’KEEFE: To that point about funding, we’ve heard that it sounds like most of this is going to be paid for by the federal government either about 90 %- 80 % depending on how it works, the rest by the state. Where will that money go?
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG: So we’re utilizing a body known as the emergency relief. This is through our Federal Highway Administration. That is how those initial$ 60 million were distributed, and more will follow. We may then need to enlist Congress to provide a supplement to that fund. That has happened in the past, if you remember the 2007 bridge collapse in Minnesota, eventually about$ 260 million put up, including funds that were put through Congress on a bipartisan basis. And I sincerely hope and anticipate that this will be a republican priority as well. Not only the right thing to do for Baltimore’s citizens, is it? But really critical, again, for our whole supply system to make sure that that port and that bridge are operating just the way they were supposed to.
ED O’KEEFE: Well, let’s get this straight: You’re aware that Congress these days is n’t very good at getting much done. And there seems to be political disagreement regarding when to eat lunch. But what exactly would be the pitch to any wary lawmaker who says why on earth should we have to pay for this?
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG: Well, your district might be the one to follow. Additionally, this has generally been republican, so I’m not just referring to the past. Remember, the infrastructure package itself President Biden’s infrastructure plan went through on a nonpartisan basis. Many people did n’t believe that was feasible when we arrived in 2021. However, the President continued to work on the concept. And sure enough, a lot of Republicans were ready to cross the aisle, work with President Biden, work with Democrats to get this done. Emergency response should be the only thing that needs to be done in this nation that is more republican than infrastructure. This is both, and I’m hoping Congress will be interested if and when we ask them.
ED O’KEEFE: On another matter. By the end of the year, Boeing announced some significant changes in its leadership, the CEO, the Board Chairman, and the head of the business airplanes unit. This week, or this past week, Boeing announced some major changes in its leadership. Are those adjustments sufficient to address concerns about the business?
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG: Effectively, one personnel change or some personnel changes are not the same thing as what we most need to see, which is a change in culture. Whoever assumes these new leadership positions and everyone else at Boeing, particularly those top leaders who are responsible for the planes that Boeing produces and the work that the business does, must demonstrate that they put safety first. Since this incident in January, FAA has been scrutinizing Boeing, and to be honest, there were many concerns about what the FAA administrator saw during those visits and during the audit. He gave Boeing about 90 days to come up with a detailed plan to show that they’re on the path to deliver the right kind of quality and safety. We’re about 30 days into that. Regular check-ins are conducted, and the FAA wo n’t permit Boeing to increase production until they demonstrate that they can do so safely.
ED O’KEEFE: You know, Thursday was the busiest day of the year so far, at least in terms of TSA screenings, because we’re seeing an uptick then ahead of spring break. What would you say to those who are afraid to fly right now given the blown off door on the Alaska Airlines plane and the panel that fell off a Delta flight late? We’re in the middle of spring break for many people.
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG: Well, I’d say that whenever I take a step onto an airplane, whether I’m going to look at a bridge, or whether I’m flying there with my husband and kids, as we will do after this week, I know that I’m taking the safest route possible. And that what makes it the safest – safest form of travel in America is all of the work and all of the people who stand behind that, including the men and women of our FAA. We’re talking about a remarkable safety record. And think about this mode of transportation, which involves moving through the sky at roughly the speed of sound through a metal tube and explosive liquids. And once, is the safest way to travel. Because of the stringent standards and inspection procedures, that is the case. And that’s why, since the administration has been in place, there have been roughly 3 billion passengers traveling in the United States, with 100 % of them arriving where they need to go. So we’re going to continue doing everything we can holding airlines, aerospace manufacturers, and everybody else responsible. And attempting to maintain that balance by speaking with those flight crews, mechanics, tech workers, and everyone else who is a part of that safety equation.
You actually sold it there, ED O’KEEFE, to explosive liquid flying through the air, ED O’KEEFE. But I hear you on this on the safety aspects of this.
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG: The world’s best.
ED O’KEEFE: Do you know if the President is elected for another four years this year, you’ll continue to support him?
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG: Suddenly, I’m right now I’m totally focused on doing a great job in the job that I have. The President asked me to do this work, and I’m honored and humbled. Also in those early days, we were aware that we would be pursuing the biggest infrastructure package, in particular in my lifetime, and we were allowed to pass that through Congress. Today we’re out it delivering that. Different things that President Biden invited me to take on this role, like the collapse of the Baltimore bridge, are something we’re currently dealing with, were not something we could have anticipated. But I put my head down, worked hard, and hoped to do best by the trust that has been placed in me. I’m also very proud of the 55, 000 people who work for the Department of Transportation who help us fulfill that goal every day.
ED O’KEEFE: I know when a lot of people see you on television these days, they may still think to themselves,” Oh, I wonder if he still wants the big job one day”. Is it still something you aspire to do now that you’ve been close to it and have worked alongside a president?
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG: Also, I’ve definitely gained a new perspective on how challenging it is to watch as President Biden handles a number of issues, challenges, and opportunities for this country. And I’m happy to be a little part of the big team that helps him get that done. I’m not sure if I’ll run for any kind of elected office afterwards, but what I do know is that I’ve been asked to take on a great job. I’m proud and humble to do it. It’s hard, it’s satisfying, and it’s taken about 110 % of what I have to give right now.
ED O’KEEFE: All straight, we’re grateful and saddened that you spend some of your Easter with us. We’ll do our best to talk to Chasten and the kids, and we’ll talk again immediately.
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG: Thanks quite little. I appreciate you.”}]] [[{“value”:”
Former presidential candidate and U.S. Secretary for Transportation Pete Buttigieg has said he is unsure if he will ever run again for elected office.
Buttigieg’s comments were made during an interview with “Face the Nation,” in which he discussed the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse as well as ongoing issues with Boeing.
Ed O’Keefe questioned the Transportation Secretary about his intentions to stay around for another four years in case Biden were to run again.
“You know, even if the president gets another four-year term later this year, are you going to stay around?” O’Keefe inquired.
“Again, right now, I am completely focused on doing an excellent job in the position that I hold. I am humbled and honored to have been asked by the President to do this job. We knew from the beginning that we would be pursuing a massive infrastructure package. It was certainly one of the largest in my lifetime. We were able get it through Congress. Buttigieg added, “Now we’re delivering on that.”
“There were things that we could not have predicted when President Biden asked me to take this role, such as the Baltimore bridge collapse which we are currently dealing with.” I put my head down and got to work, hoping to live up the trust placed in me. I’m also proud of the 55,000 employees at the Department of Transportation who help us achieve our mission every day.
O’Keefe asked: “Now that you’ve worked alongside a president and been closer to the job, is it something you still aspire to?”
“Well, I have certainly gained a new perspective of just how challenging this job is, watching President Biden handle so many concerns, opportunities and challenges for this country. Buttigieg replied, “I’m proud to have been a small part in the team that helps him achieve this.”
“I honestly don’t know if I will run again for any elected office, but I do know that I have been asked to take on this big job. I am honored and humbled by the opportunity. It’s rewarding and hard. I’ve given 110%.
WATCH:
Pete Buttigieg says: “I don’t know if I will run again for any elected office.” pic.twitter.com/U3V2PtGpRF
The Post-Millennial (@TPostMillennial), March 31, 2024
Buttigieg’s future will be scrutinized after the Baltimore bridge tragedy and a series of airline-related incidents.
WATCH:
Pete Buttigieg dismisses Americans who are worried about flying
“Every time I step on an airplane, whether I am going to look at the bridge or if I’m traveling with my husband and children…I know that this is the safest way to travel in America.” pic.twitter.com/SfDi0wIzuB
Julia (@Jules31415), March 31, 2024
CBS News:
Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary, said that officials are focusing on rebuilding efforts and do not know the exact condition of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after it collapsed in Baltimore days ago. It was hit by cargo ship.
Buttigieg stated on “Face the Nation”, Sunday, that “a lot goes into the design of the reconstruction and how the process will work.” He said he did not have an estimate for the timeline of the reconstruction, but that the bridge took five years to build. “Right Now, we don’t know everything we need about the condition of those portions of the bridge which did not collapse.”
First, officials are working on clearing debris and reopening the channel. Buttigieg said that the time frame for the process is still unknown, but that the work has begun.
Buttigieg stated that this was the only way to enter the Port of Baltimore in its entirety. This is important not only for Maryland, but also national supply chains.
The process of rebuilding a bridge is expected to be more time-consuming. Buttigieg stated that work has already begun in the area, following the release of $60 million by federal funding for emergency relief. Additional emergency funds will be released in the near future.
WATCH:
Read the full transcript on CBS News:
ED O’KEEFE : We’re joined for the latest by Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Happy Easter, Mr. Secretary. Good morning and thank you for your time with us.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttiegig: Happy Easter. It’s good to be with you.
ED O’KEEFE : We wanted to talk with you because, you know, there was this incident in Baltimore. We’ve seen pieces of planes fall from the sky. You’ve described it as a national emergency. More than 40,000 people die in car accidents every year. Let’s start in Baltimore. How long will it take to remove the ship, clean up the debris and reopen that channel?
SECRETARY Buttigieg: We don’t have a timetable yet. I can tell that the work has already begun, and parts of the nonfederal channel have been worked on. A barge with a 1,000 ton lift crane is being installed, and a 600 ton crane will follow. This is going be a complex process. There are forces already acting on the steel. It takes a lot of work to ensure that it can be safely dismantled, and that the vessel remains where it should be and does not swing out into the canal. But it must be done. It is the only way into the Port of Baltimore. It’s important to not only the workers in Baltimore, but also to our national supply chain to get the port up and running as soon as possible. Next, you’ll have to get the bridge up again. This will take a little longer, but the work has already begun. Our department has released the first 60 million dollars in emergency relief funding to help with this work. This includes everything from clearing the wreckage to designing and procuring the new bridge structure. This will not happen overnight. Maryland will be able to do this as quickly as possible.
ED O’KEEFE : Do you have any idea of the time it would take to rebuild this bridge?
SECRETARY Buttigieg: We’ve not received any estimates yet. I can tell you that the original bridge took around five years to construct. This doesn’t tell us anything about the timeline for the reconstruction. How the reconstruction will be designed and how it will work is a complex process. We don’t know everything about the condition of those parts of the bridge which did not collapse yet. This work is in progress. Maryland DOT has done a lot of good work under the leadership Governor Wes Moore. We are supporting them with funding, technical assistance and everything else we can to help.
ED O’KEEFE : In terms of funding, it seems that the federal government will be paying for most of it, either 90% or 80% depending on the way it works. The rest is paid by the state. Where will that money come from?
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG : We’re using a authority called emergency relief. This is done through the Federal Highway Administration. This is how we got the first 60 millions and there will be many more. It is possible that we will need to go to Congress to supplement this fund. If you remember the 2007 Minnesota bridge collapse, it was about $260,000,000, including funds that Congress approved on a bipartisan level. I hope that this will also be a priority for both parties. It’s the right thing to be done for the people of Baltimore. It’s important for our entire supply system that the port and bridge operate as they should.
ED O’KEEFE : Quickly, you know Congress can’t do much these days. There seems to be a partisan disagreement over even when to have lunch. What would you say to a skeptical legislator who asks why we should pay for it?
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG : The pitch is that your district could be the next. This has always been bipartisan and I am not just referring to the past. Remember that the infrastructure package, which was President Biden’s plan for infrastructure, was passed on a bipartisan base. Many people did not think this was possible in 2021. But the President never abandoned the idea. Many Republicans were willing and able to work with President Biden and the Democrats to make this happen. Emergency response is the only thing in this country more bipartisan than infrastructure. This is both, and I hope Congress will be willing to help us if we ever turn to them.
ED O’KEEFE : On another issue. Boeing announced this week-or last week-that it would be making some major changes to its leadership. The CEO, the Board Chair, and the head of commercial airplanes will all be leaving by the year’s end. Are these changes enough to address concerns about the company’s performance?
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG (translated): One personnel change or multiple personnel changes is not the same as what we need to see most, which is a culture change. Boeing’s new leaders, as well as all other employees, must demonstrate that safety is their top priority. This includes senior leaders responsible for the planes produced by Boeing and the work done by the company. Since this incident in January, the FAA has been closely monitoring Boeing’s operations. Frankly, the FAA administrator was concerned about what he saw during the audit and on the visits. He gave Boeing 90 days to create a comprehensive plan that would show they were on the right track to deliver quality and safety. We’re now about 30 days in. The FAA will not allow Boeing to increase production until it can demonstrate that it can do so safely.
ED O’KEEFE : Thursday was the busiest TSA screening day so far this year, as we’re experiencing an increase in TSA screenings now that spring break is approaching. What would you tell those who are afraid to fly, given the recent aviation incidents? The blown off door of the Alaska Airlines flight, the panel that recently fell off a Delta Flight.
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG (translated): I would say that each time I step on an airliner, regardless of whether I am going to look at the bridge or whether I am flying somewhere with my family, as we will do later this week, that I know I’m taking part in the safest mode of travel in America. All of the people and the work that goes into making it the safest, most secure form of travel for Americans, including our FAA men and women is what makes this possible. We’re talking an extraordinary safety record. Imagine this mode of transportation, where you are propelled through the air by flammable liquids in a metal tube at nearly the speed sound. It is also the safest mode of travel. This is due to the extremely rigorous standards and inspection processes. Since the beginning of this administration, about 3 billion passengers have flown on American airplanes, and all of them have reached their destination. We’ll continue to hold airlines, aerospace manufacturers and everyone else accountable. We’re going to continue to hold airlines, aerospace manufacturers, and everyone else accountable.
ED O’KEEFE : You sold it really well there. From metal to flammable liquids flying through the air. But I do hear you about the safety aspects.
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG : Safest in the World
ED O’KEEFE : You know, if President Bush gets another four years this year, are you going to stay around?
SECRETARY Buttigieg: I’m totally focused right now on doing a great job in my job. I am humbled and honored to have been asked by the President to do this job. Even in those early stages, we knew that we would be pursuing the largest infrastructure package in my lifetime. We were able get it through Congress. Now we are delivering this. We never saw the Baltimore bridge collapse coming when President Biden asked me to take this role. I put my head down and got to work, hoping to live up the trust placed in me. I’m also proud of the 55,000 employees at the Department of Transportation who help us achieve our mission every day.
ED O’KEEFE : I know that when people see you on TV these days, they might still wonder, “Oh I wonder if he wants the big job someday.” Now that you have been closer to it and worked alongside a President, is it something you still aspire to today?
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG : I’ve certainly gained a new perspective of how challenging this job is, after watching President Biden handle so many concerns, opportunities and challenges for this country. I’m proud to play a small role in helping him achieve this. I don’t even know if I will run again for any elected office. What I do know is I have been asked to take on this big job. I am honored and humbled by the opportunity. It’s hard but rewarding and it has taken me about 110% right now.
ED O’KEEFE : Okay, well we are honored that you spent part of your Easter holiday with us. We wish Chasten and his kids all the best and hope to talk soon.
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG (Secretary of State): Thank you very much. It’s a pleasure to be with you.
“}]]
