Pete Buttigieg has served as the Transportation Secretary since 2021. He’s also been a two-term mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and is a war veteran. So why is the House voting to slash his pay to $1?
The pay reduction started in early November of 2023, kicking off with a bill penned by Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG).
Why Does MTG Dislike Pete Buttigieg?
There are many different areas in which Marjorie Taylor Greene and Pete Buttigieg disagree. Beyond these, the most recent and consistent disputes have been about the enforcement of electric car mandates.
Rep. Taylor Greene has been quoted saying that the vehicles are “emasculating,” recommending against national mandates for use. She’s also accused him of shady donations that border on bribery.
How Could Pete Buttigieg’s Salary Be Legally Slashed?
Marjorie Taylor Greene didn’t suggest an outright cut in her proposal. Instead, she couched it in motive to avoid the looming government shutdown that threatened the U.S. most of the last quarter of the year.
The slash was proposed in the revised 2024 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, funding several key agencies (including the General Service Administration).
Marjorie’s Proposal Passes the House
After Marjorie suggested her proposed salary cuts, the proposal fell to the hands of the House Republicans. They chose to pass her proposal through their channels, moving one step closer to cutting Buttigieg’s salary.
That’s not where the story ends, however. Marjorie continued to celebrate this victory, taking to social media channels to claim victory over the Transport Secretary
The Accusations Continue From MTG
Despite this apparent “win,” Marjorie Taylor Greene wasn’t finished with her campaign against Buttigieg. Rather than note the passed proposal for documentation purposes on her website, she took to social media — accusing the Transportation Secretary of ethical compromise.
Several accusations included bribery, false “media-driven” put-ons and shows, “fake photo-ops” and misappropriation of taxpayer funds.
Several in Minority Groups Took Offense — Including Those in the LGBTQ+ Community
Rep. Taylor-Greene’s rants didn’t fall on deaf ears, riling and harming one of the largest minority groups in the United States: The LGBTQ+ community. Many members took offense to her harshness toward Buttigieg, stating that he had been given a private jet solely due to his support for the LGBTQ+ community members.
This accusation has yet to be confirmed.
MTG’s Not the Only One Who “Hates” Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg’s time as transportation secretary hasn’t been without strife. In fact, he’s been forced to respond to several attacks and points of contention since he took office in early 2021.
Notably, many of these complaints came from the other side of the aisle, rooted in the Republican party. However, many voices from the court of public opinion have mixed feelings about Buttigieg.
A Major Loss: A Seeming “Lack of Action” in East Palestine, Ohio
Pete Buttigieg has most famously and recently come under fire for his lack of action during the train derailment of East Palestine, Ohio. While many residents suffered, the Biden Administration appeared eerily quiet.
This prompted a public outcry as thousands went without clean water or air. Many residents suffered physical symptoms and sickness.
Where Was Pete Buttigieg?
Despite the news coverage and hundreds of local daily vlogs from East Palestine residents, Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg took weeks to arrive at the scene — something that many still have not forgiven him for.
By the time he came, many hypothesized that the damage had already been done — leaving many without their homes, pets, loved ones, or personal health.
Has Buttigieg Failed? A Review of the En-Masse Cancellations Post-COVID
Additionally, both representatives and consumers alike feel that Pete Buttigieg has failed at his primary role of consumer protection in the transportation sphere. This comes after months of en-masse airline cancellations for numerous reasons, affecting millions of travelers and the national economy.
Many have asked Buttigieg to take accountability and protect travelers proactively, requesting that he pressure the airlines to do better.
This Probe Could Have Affected Buttigieg’s Profitability
Other incidents that fueled public support for Pete’s salary slash included the number of flights he’s taken on his taxpayer-funded, government-provided plane. Flights were so frequent, he became the subject of an inspector general probe.
According to Americans for Public Trust, the probe to hold the transport secretary accountable alone is estimated to cost taxpayers over $10,000.
Could Pete Buttigieg’s Salary Really Be Just $1?
Due to how Marjorie Taylor-Greene proposed the salary change, there is a chance that Pete Buttigieg’s salary could remain at $1. However, this number only covers what his taxpayer-funded salary would be, and does not account for other money sources he may have.
She offered the amendment as a resolution to help avoid a government shutdown, and it has been passed by House Republicans.
