The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved the nomination of Pete Buttigieg for Secretary of Transportation by a vote of 21 to 3. The nomination now goes to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote, hopefully later this week. On Thursday, January 21, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing on the nomination of Pete Buttigieg. Senators raised issues focused on the importance of rural transportation, climate change, protecting transportation riders and employees from COVID, permitting reform, automated and electric vehicles, and strengthening Buy America. When asked if he had any suggestions for where the revenue would come from for investing in transportation infrastructure, Buttigieg said all options should be considered. However, shortly after the hearing a DOT spokesperson said that “increasing the gas tax would not be among those options.” The hearing video and prepared testimony is here.