Pete Buttigieg finds battles over gay pride and Dylan Mulvaney culture wars ‘frustrating’.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Criticizes Republican Focus on Cultural Issues
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed his frustration with the Republican party’s emphasis on cultural issues such as ”gay pride” and gender transitions. Speaking at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Buttigieg highlighted conservative opposition to drag shows and the backlash against Bud Light for promoting a transgender influencer named Dylan Mulvaney.
Buttigieg’s Concerns About Priorities
In a recent interview, Buttigieg shared his observations from his interactions with the public. He stated, ”When I’m out in Wheeling, West Virginia, or Pittsburgh at the airport or anywhere else, the questions are not about beer bottles or drag queens. The questions are about making sure that we can deliver these transportation assets that people can count on.” He expressed his frustration with the media’s focus on divisive cultural issues instead of highlighting the numerous transportation projects his department has supported across the country.
Buttigieg also mentioned Bud Light’s decline in popularity and market share following their promotion of Mulvaney, emphasizing the consequences of the backlash against inclusive initiatives.
Republican Opposition and Democratic Response
Buttigieg’s comments come after a contentious Appropriations Committee hearing, during which Republicans proposed budget cuts for his department and attached amendments to defund gay community centers. Some of these centers aimed to use taxpayer dollars to support transgender healthcare. Several committee Democrats, including ranking member Rosa DeLaura and Representative Mark Pocan, strongly opposed these amendments, with DeLaura even using the term “terrorists” to describe her Republican colleagues. However, these remarks were later stricken from the record.
Representative Ryan Zinke clarified that the amendment was not driven by bigotry but rather by a debate on the appropriate use of public funds. Buttigieg admitted that he had not closely followed the congressional debate.
Challenges Ahead
Buttigieg emphasized the need to prioritize two key objectives: protecting vulnerable groups through policy and ensuring the smooth functioning of essential transportation services. He expressed confidence in the administration’s commitment to both goals.
The funding measure currently before Congress is crucial to avoid a government shutdown. However, it is expected to face opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The final bill approved by both chambers must adhere to the budget constraints outlined in the recent debt ceiling agreement.
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