Secretary Pete Buttigieg made a lively appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” where he discussed a range of topics, including his twins’ Halloween costumes and the progress of Biden’s infrastructure law.
Colbert opened the conversation by asking Buttigieg about his twins’ costumes for Halloween. Buttigieg revealed that his son, Gus, dressed up as a three-eyed dinosaur monster, while his daughter, Penelope, opted for a costume from the movie Incanto. He humorously shared the struggle of getting them into their costumes, particularly when Gus had a full-on rebellion. However, he mentioned that as they grow, parenting becomes more fun and rewarding.
The discussion then shifted to Biden’s historic $1.2 trillion infrastructure law, which is approaching its second anniversary. Buttigieg explained that around $200 billion has been identified for transportation projects so far, and they are on track with progress. He also highlighted the importance of making sure the public is aware of how the bill is being utilized, mentioning the signs that indicate projects funded by the infrastructure law. Buttigieg emphasized the need for transparency and building public trust in government projects.
Addressing the bipartisan nature of the infrastructure law, Buttigieg expressed his pride in the number of House Republicans and Republican Senators who worked with President Biden to pass the bill. He believes that such collaboration proves that big things can be achieved in a chaotic and sometimes bleak political landscape. He emphasized that America is at its best when it sets out to do significant projects.
Buttigieg mentioned that he was in New York City to announce two long-awaited projects. The first is the construction of the Hudson River tunnel, which has been in need of repair for nearly a century. The funds from the infrastructure bill will be applied to this much-needed renovation. The second project involves extending the Second Avenue subway to 125th Street, a crucial improvement for Harlem residents.
Colbert then raised concerns about the potential for corruption or misallocation of funds in these projects. Buttigieg acknowledged that some projects may face challenges and take longer to complete. However, he assured the audience that there are strict oversight measures in place to ensure that the funds are spent transparently and fairly. He also playfully mentioned that even those who opposed the bill politically are often the first to attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies when projects are completed.
Buttigieg concluded by discussing the importance of diligently lining up funding for infrastructure projects to ensure their success. He acknowledged that some projects are like cathedrals, where the people who start them are not always the ones who finish them. However, he expressed confidence that even the political opponents of the infrastructure law understand the importance of these projects and are willing to support them when completed.
Buttigieg’s appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” showcased not only his insights into various topics but also his humor and enthusiasm for the progress being made in infrastructure and parenting alike. This engaging conversation demonstrated the significance of the infrastructure law and the positive impact it will bring to communities across the country.
