At his Senate committee hearing on Thursday, former South Bend Mayor and U.S. Transportation Secretary nominee Pete Buttigieg promised to work with Congress to rebuild the country’s infrastructure.

Improving safety, revitalizing the economy and reducing the impact of climate change are just a few of Buttigieg’s goals for the Department of Transportation.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said he has a “generational opportunity” to implement those changes.

“The chance to lead this department at this historic moment is not one that I take lightly, and if confirmed, I promise to bring the same sense of duty that led me to serve my hometown as mayor,” Buttigieg said.

He pointed to projects like the South Shore Line expansion and South Bend’s Smart Streets program as proof of his ability to find “bottom-up” solutions to the nation’s transportation challenges.

Facing questions from senators, Buttigieg said he would work to streamline the Department of Transportation’s programs and funding, stretch every federal dollar he could and make decisions with rural Americans in mind.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), who chaired the hearing, said he was “quite certain” Buttigieg would be confirmed.

Contact Gemma at gdicarlo@wvpe.org or follow her on Twitter at @gemma_dicarlo.