Buttigieg fires back at Speaker Johnson over criticism of job performance

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Thursday fired back at House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), calling him unserious after the Speaker criticized the way he has run the Transportation Department.

Johnson spoke about the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill earlier this week while touring a project in Sarasota, Fla., that was funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law.

“I’m not delighted in the way that Secretary Buttigieg has run the Transportation Department. I think there’s been … let’s say, to be charitable, it’s left much to be desired,” he said.

Buttigieg, in his response, noted that Johnson voted against the infrastructure law.

“Spoken while touring an airport project that we selected… for funding from President Biden’s infrastructure bill… that Speaker Johnson voted against,” the secretary said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “And after voting, twice this year alone, to slash air traffic control budgets. This is, to put it charitably, unserious.”

Johnson toured the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, which is getting $100 million in funding from the infrastructure law for an expansion project. Florida Rep. Kathy Castor (D) had previously called out Johnson for touring the project after he voted against the legislation, calling it “awkward” and “shameful” of the Speaker.

Democratic lawmakers and top Biden administration officials, including President Biden, have been quick to call out Republican lawmakers for touting investments in their states that came from funding for bills they voted against, including the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act.