Wisconsin GOP: Buttigieg 'working to kill private investment in infrastructure'

(The Center Square) – Ahead of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg's Wisconsin tour, Republican leaders in the state bashed his record and the transportation priorities of the Biden administration.

During the press conference Tuesday, Rep. Bryan Steil said Buttigieg will “sugar coat” the major spending yet continuous transportation issues under the current administration, accusing them of killing private infrastructure.

“I think it’s important to remember that on day one of the Biden-Harris administration, they killed the Keystone XL pipeline. That was private sector investment in our U.S. domestic energy production. And so while we see reckless spending in Washington, the Biden-Harris administration at the same time was working to kill private investment in infrastructure,” Steil said. “So when you see the secretary come in, he’s going to cherry-pick key investments. What he’s not going to do is highlight the number of flawed investments this administration is trying to shove through.”

Wisconsin Republican Chairman Brian Schimming called Buttigieg a “failed DOT secretary” who is “posturing” for the Democratic Party vice presidential pick.

“When you look at the Buttigieg’s failures, and the failures of this administration, they ought to have to answer for those because they're hurting Wisconsin workers,” Schimming said. “Whether it's the mess on electric vehicles, whether it’s the mess on the train derailment down in East Palestine, Ohio.”

Buttigieg has defended the Biden administration’s record on transportation.

“Delivering on the basics – like transportation – is key to strengthening communities. After decades of underinvestment, the Biden-Harris administration is ensuring that America's infrastructure meets the everyday needs of its citizens,” Buttigieg posted on social media Tuesday afternoon, referencing the administration’s promotion of electric buses and new rail infrastructure investments.

A Marist poll released last week showed Buttigieg is tied with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as the most favored choice among Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents for vice presidential pick.