Transcript: Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation, on “Face the Nation,” July 2, 2023

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently spoke with Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation” to address concerns about flight delays and disruptions, as well as the progress being made on infrastructure projects. Buttigieg acknowledged that severe weather conditions at the beginning of the week had put pressure on the transportation system, resulting in increased flight cancellations. However, he highlighted that cancellation rates had dropped to below 2% by Friday and emphasized the improvements made in enhancing passenger rights and expectations compared to previous years.

Buttigieg also addressed the blame being placed on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by industry leaders. He acknowledged that while air traffic control staffing issues accounted for less than 10% of delay minutes, efforts were being made to address this problem. The plan included hiring 1500 new air traffic controllers this year and an additional 1800 next year. Furthermore, the FAA was working on staffing models to better meet ground needs and cooperating with airlines to optimize airspace usage. Buttigieg mentioned the use of new technology, such as GPS, to open up more direct routes for flights, reducing congestion and flight time. Additionally, efforts were being made to coordinate with the space industry to prevent airspace closures during commercial space launches.

Regarding infrastructure, Buttigieg expressed confidence in the resilience projects being implemented. He acknowledged that severe weather impacts were becoming more frequent and serious, and therefore, ensuring infrastructure was built with resilience in mind was crucial. Buttigieg cited examples of projects in Kentucky and the Hudson River tunnels that incorporated resilience measures to protect communities from flooding. He emphasized the urgency of moving forward with infrastructure projects across the country.

Buttigieg also addressed the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of a Colorado website designer, which he deemed as discrimination. He argued that there was no evidence that the web designer had ever been approached by a same-sex couple seeking services for their wedding. Buttigieg expressed concern about the broader implications of recent Supreme Court decisions, including the limitation of women’s rights and the diminishing equality of same-sex couples.

In conclusion, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg discussed the challenges faced by the transportation system due to severe weather and the ongoing efforts to address air traffic control staffing issues. He highlighted the progress being made on infrastructure projects and the focus on building resilience for the future. Buttigieg also expressed concerns about recent Supreme Court decisions and the potential erosion of rights and freedoms in the country.

Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-07-02 14:15:07