Transportation Secretary Nominee Pete Buttigieg Commits to Supporting Baldwin’s Strong Buy America Standards

VIDEO: Senator Baldwin received a commitment from Buttigieg to include Buy America requirements in any Biden Administration infrastructure proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is President Joe Biden’s Transportation Secretary nominee, made a strong commitment to U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) that under his leadership, the U.S. Department of Transportation will support and work to implement strong Buy America policies in any upcoming infrastructure plan.

At a hearing today in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Senator Baldwin asked Mayor Buttigieg directly for a commitment to include Buy America requirements in any Biden Administration infrastructure proposal to ensure federal funding supports products that are made in America. Mayor Buttigieg answered yes.

“Now more than ever, we need to put America to work rebuilding our infrastructure and strong Buy America standards need to be at the foundation of any plan. I have long fought to advance these policies to ensure our infrastructure is built with American products by American workers, and prevent taxpayers’ money from being spent on foreign iron and steel,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m thrilled President Biden and Mayor Buttigieg have joined my effort to ensure our government is buying American products and supporting American workers. Let’s get to work.” 

Watch the full exchange between Senator Baldwin and Mayor Buttigieg here:

When asked by Senator Baldwin, Mayor Buttigieg also committed to working as Transportation Secretary to “adjust, change, or perhaps rescind” the blanket waiver that for 40 years has made foreign-manufactured goods eligible for Federal Highway Administration purchases. Additionally, Senator Baldwin received a commitment to “right away” look into the exemptions provided to cities that have contracted with Chinese state-owned enterprises to build passenger railcars and buses by the Federal Transit Administration under President Trump.

Senator Baldwin has long-championed stronger Buy America standards to ensure that American workers and products are prioritized, especially when U.S. taxpayer dollars are used.