Republicans try to cut transport secretary Pete Buttigieg’s salary to $1
The legislation was introduced by far-right GOP lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Republican lawmakers have attempted to cut US Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s salary to just $1.
The legislation, which is not expected to make it through the House or Senate, was introduced by far-right Republican US Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.
“Pete Buttigieg has failed to serve the American people as the Secretary of Transportation,” Ms Greene said on the House floor ahead of the vote.
“Deserving a taxpayer-funded paycheck is about job performance not about personalities of identity politics,” she said.
The amendment was passed via voice vote as part of the 2024 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development spending bill. No lawmaker opposed the amendment as part of the spending bill.
The legislation is not expected to make it past a House vote or through the US Senate.
Ms Greene used the Holman Rule, a law that gives members of Congress the authority to reduce salaries of specific federal employees or cut programs entirely, to introduce the amendment.
She previously used the same law in an attempt to reduce the salary of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s salary.
🚨 BREAKING: I’m proud to announce my amendment to FIRE Pete Buttigieg just PASSED the House.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) November 7, 2023
Pothole Pete staged fake bike rides to the White House and used private planes funded by taxpayers to receive awards for the way certain people have sex.
American taxpayers should not… pic.twitter.com/9fq9XrXLV2
Greene said that, in her opinion, the $1 salary for Mr Buttigieg was still too high. She’s continuously referred to the transportation secretary as “Pothole Pete”, a reference to his time as mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
During his time in office, the town reportedly had a consistent pothole problem.
Ms Greene pointed to her numerous problems with Mr Buttigieg’s performance as she spoke about his potential pay cut.
She specifically took issue with his environmental advocacy work and his $1bn pilot plan to build racial equity in roads.
The program was launched in June 2022 with the aim of reconnecting cities and neighbourhoods that had been divided by racial segregation or segregated road projects.
“He’s been busy calling roads racist and forcing equity action plans and implementing climate change initiatives rather than strengthening our nation’s transportation and infrastructure systems,” Ms Greene said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments