The Senate has confirmed former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg as secretary of transportation.
The confirmation vote was 86-13.
Buttigieg takes over a 55,000-person department responsible for key pandemic and post-pandemic issues, including transportation infrastructure, air travel safety and U.S. train networks.
In his hearing before the Senate transportation committee on Jan. 21, Buttigieg used his opening statement to emphasize the importance of focusing on safety and to implementing President Biden's infrastructure plan. He also said that transportation policy can improve opportunities for underprivileged communities.
During the presidential campaign, Biden proposed investing $2 trillion in infrastructure, with a focus on making the economy greener, including green energy and transportation.
Travel-related pledges included infrastructure investments in airports and aviation, bridges, roads and waterways.
Biden singled out rail as a special focus, pledging to spark what the campaign called a rail revolution, including working with Amtrak on electrification.
During his committee hearing, Buttigieg committed to working to reinstate Amtrak service from New Orleans east across the Gulf Coast and said he personally is a rail enthusiast.
He also said he would make safety reforms at the FAA a priority.
Travel industry stakeholders reacted quickly to Buttigieg's Tuesday confirmation.
JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said he hoped the administration will invest in Next Gen air traffic control modernization.
"And with considerable and significant challenges still facing the airline industry amid the pandemic recovery, we'll also look to the secretary for support to ensure we emerge in a position to help power the economy when the crisis is over," Hayes said.