Politics
House slashes salary of Biden appointee Buttigieg to $1
By Jake Beardslee · November 8, 2023
In brief…
- House passed amendment to reduce Buttigieg's salary to $1, introduced by Rep. Greene
- Buttigieg criticized by GOP for transportation crises response and private jet usage
- Jet trips being investigated by inspector general
- Buttigieg vacationed abroad during critical rail negotiations last year
The House of Representatives approved an amendment introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) that would reduce Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s government salary to $1. The amendment was passed via voice vote on Tuesday as part of the 2024 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act.
Greene celebrated the passage in X posts, stating “I’m proud to announce my amendment to FIRE Pete Buttigieg just PASSED the House” and that “American taxpayers should not be on the hook for paying for his lavish trips or his salary.”
Buttigieg has faced ongoing criticism from Republican lawmakers regarding his response to transportation crises like the Ohio train derailment in February. He was also criticized for not taking decisive action to address airline cancelations blamed on pilot shortages.
The secretary’s use of government-managed private jets on at least 18 occasions has also sparked controversy. Those flights are the subject of an inspector general investigation and have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars according to Americans for Public Trust. In one case, Buttigieg used a jet for a roundtrip to Montreal to accept an LGBTQ rights award. His office has not provided full details about the jet usage despite FOIA requests and a lawsuit.
Americans for Public Trust Executive Director Caitlin Sutherland said to Fox News Digital, “Buttigieg continues to blow off the American people who simply want to know the true cost of his taxpayer-funded private jet trips.” The group accused him of “politicizing his role and making it clear that he believes he’s above accountability and transparency.”
Last year, Buttigieg also came under fire for vacationing in Portugal during tense rail negotiations that could have impacted the economy if a strike occurred.