“We need to rebuild our economy, better than ever,” Buttigieg is expected to say, according to his prepared comments. “The Department of Transportation can play a central role in this, implementing President Biden’s infrastructure vision, creating millions of well-paying jobs, revitalizing communities that have been left behind, allowing small businesses, workers, families and American farmers to compete and winning the global economy and facing the climate crisis. “
Buttigieg often talked about infrastructure during the campaign from the perspective of a mayor of a small town, arguing that local governments like the one he commanded needed people in Washington who understood his needs and issues.
Some leading Democrats believed that Biden wanted to get Buttigieg, 39, an important position as a way to raise a rising star in the Democratic Party. Buttigieg’s future aspirations are no secret, but the former mayor’s political future in his conservative state has long been an obstacle.
Buttigieg always talked about being gay during his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, and for many LGBTQ Americans, he has become a symbol of progress. His marriage to Chasten Buttigieg and the presidential campaign normalized being gay and married in presidential politics.
“I am proud to have you by my side and I want to thank you for your many sacrifices and your support so that I could exercise public service,” said Buttigieg of her husband.