Blumenthal & Buttigieg Discuss Urgent Priorities for Department of Transportation at Nomination Hearing

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – During today’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the nomination of Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Buttigieg discussed a number of urgent priorities facing the Department of Transportation.

Ensuring Transportation Worker Safety during COVID-19 Pandemic

Blumenthal unveiled plans to introduce the Essential Transportation Employee Safety Act to address workplace safety for essential transportation workers. The legislation – endorsed by the country’s leading transportation labor unions – would prioritize coronavirus testing for transportation workers, and ensure employers implement critical health and safety requirements to keep their workforce safe. Blumenthal asked Buttigieg for a commitment to protecting the safety of transportation workers, saying: “I would like your commitment to the safety of these employees. I know it is in your heart. I know you have that sense of caring for them, but we need measures like the one I proposed and a mask mandate order that the president issued yesterday which I hope will be extended to legislation as a national mandate on federal property.” Buttigieg agreed, stating: “Yes, you have that commitment and speaking with representatives of workers, we have heard about their exposure to the risks from COVID exposure all the way to assault and we have to make sure that the workers are safe in this field.”

Leading Public Transportation System Recovery

In his opening remarks, Blumenthal agreed with Buttigieg’s statements about the crisis facing the public transportation system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the immediate need to address it. Blumenthal discussed the dramatic decline in ridership on public transit services like the Metro-North Railroad, hardship faced by private bus and motorcoach companies like DATTCO in New Britain, and the challenges faced by airports like Bradley International Airport.

Investing in Passenger Rail

Blumenthal stressed the critical importance of passenger rail in Connecticut and across the Northeast Corridor (NEC), which is the most heavily used passenger rail line in the country. Blumenthal emphasized the need to move forward on the Gateway Program to advance the modernization of a set of critical transportation infrastructure improvements on the bustling NEC rail network. The program includes the Hudson Tunnel Project, a construction of a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River and repairs to the significantly-damaged North River Tunnel. Blumenthal pressed Buttigieg for a commitment to advancing this project, saying: “Incredibly, these tunnels are 111 years old. Think of the year when they were built. The technology has changed magnificently. The tunnels are decrepit, degrading and about to potentially collapse. I would like your commitment that you will move this project which is essential to all rail traffic and transportation in the northeast.” Buttigieg agreed with the need to make advances on this project, stating: “I have heard this loud and clear from you and your colleagues and counterparts in the region and look forward to working with you on this to move forward.”

Blumenthal is a lead sponsor of the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act, which would establish a new federal trust fund and provide approximately $5.4 billion to that fund annually in grants for repairs, trip time optimizing investments, improving service, modernizing the fleet, and other needs throughout Amtrak’s network, both along the NEC and across the National Network.

Blumenthal raised the need for dedicated, predictable funding for Amtrak to make repairs to major capital projects like the bridge across the Connecticut River in Old Saybrook, stating that it “is in serious need of repair and replacement, a $550 million project, but I hope it will be included in any broader infrastructure program.”

Issuing Standards on Flight Legroom and Seat Size

Blumenthal criticized the Department of Transportation for not yet issuing regulations on minimum seat size and legroom standards, as well failing to review cabin evacuation procedures on commercial flights based on the 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act passed by Congress. Blumenthal asked Buttigieg to issue these regulations without delay, saying: “Many of us on this panel were instrumental in passing that law but the rules to implement it still have not been issued.” Buttigieg committed to resolving this issue, stating: “Yes, I will look into this and make sure the rulemaking is keeping pace with congressional intent.”

The video of Blumenthal’s remarks and exchange with Buttigieg is available for download here.

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