By a vote of 86-13, the U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of Peter "Pete" Buttigieg to become the next secretary of transportation. The Senate vote followed the January 27 approval by the Senate Commerce Committee, where he received strong bipartisan support from the leadership. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), who is now chair of the committee, said she enthusiastically endorsed the nomination, while Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), who has become the ranking Republican after formerly chairing the committee, called Buttigieg impressive.

Cantwell had expressed an urgency for his confirmation, given the challenges the transportation sector has faced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During his confirmation hearing in January Buttigieg had stressed the need to move forward on infrastructure investment, calling it “part and parcel” with economic recovery. “We have a real chance to deliver for the American people—to build our economy back, better than ever, and the [DOT} can play a central role in this,” he further tweeted. Also during the hearing, he had added that focus on safety must remain heightened, particularly because of the pandemic.

Buttigieg takes on the presidential cabinet position after serving two terms as mayor of South Bend, Indiana. A Harvard University graduate and Rhodes Scholar while at Oxford University, he also served seven months in the war in Afghanistan in the Navy Reserve. He has worked on several Democrat campaigns, including the presidential campaign of former Sen. and Secretary of State John Kerry.

The aviation industry widely welcomed the confirmation. “NBAA congratulates Pete Buttigieg on his new role in leading the DOT, and we thank the Senate for moving quickly to consider his nomination and confirm him as secretary,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Business aviation is important to the economy, including in small and rural towns, and we look forward to working with the secretary on our shared goals of economic recovery and prosperity, infrastructure and investments for all of aviation, including emerging technologies, access to airports, and airspace and sustainability.”

NATA president and CEO Timothy Obitts added, “The aviation business industry is excited to engage with Secretary Buttigieg and his team as they work to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure. We, too, believe that transportation plays a central role in job creation and advancing the economy. “

General Aviation Manufacturers Association president and CEO Pete Bunce agreed with those sentiments, noting that Buttigieg also has indicated the economic and strategic importance to make aviation manufacturing and its skilled workforce a priority. “As our industry continues to navigate through the pandemic, it will be important that our government leaders, including Secretary Buttigieg, understand the challenges the industry faces, the resilience of our workforce and that their work and leadership is critical to the future of the industry.”

Air Line Pilots Association, International president Joe DePete added he was grateful for the bipartisan confirmation.  “This is a very critical time for our nation’s transportation systems and there is a lot of work ahead to bring U.S. aviation back to pre-pandemic levels.” Similar thoughts were expressed throughout the r aviation industry.