Transportation Secretary Buttigieg wants cruising to resume by mid-summer
Editor's Note
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined White House spokesperson Jen Psaki today in the White House briefing room for the first time since he joined the Biden Administration. He took questions on the massive new infrastructure plans being pushed by the Biden Administration and other travel issues.
Related: TPG interviews Secretary Pete Buttigieg
He was asked about the resumption of cruises, and said, "The CDC is hopeful that a lot of these operators will be able to be sailing by mid-summer. We want to do this as soon as we responsibly can but we want to be safe." It comes one day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he was suing the CDC, demanding the immediate resumption of cruising from Florida.
"The bottom line is safety," Buttigieg said, "I can't wait for us all to be on the move as much as possible, but it's gotta be safe and responsible"
Sign up to get the daily TPG newsletter delivered to your inbox each morning
Buttigieg will help the White House push for the American Jobs Plan that will, if passed, spend some two trillion dollars on infrastructure and green energy.
He said, "Infrastructure is the foundation that allows people to live and work well. I'm thrilled to be in this role."
Buttigieg also said, "There's been a lot of talk at this moment about what infrastructure is and isn't," Buttigieg says. "I would argue that infrastructure is the foundation that makes it possible for people to live and work well."
Related: Amtrak plans to expand new nonstop Acela service from New York
Buttigieg also weighed in on train travel, and talked about the $80 billion that will support both maintenance and the development of new routes. Later in the briefing, Buttigieg said America is behind when it comes to trains. "I'm not content that a Chinese citizen should have better access to train travel than Americans," he said.
Related: Bullet trains in America?
When asked for a timeline on high-speed rail, Buttigieg said there was a lot of work to do. "We need to add a lot to what we've already got. We can build new routes."
Related: Amtrak's new Acela high-speed trains to launch 2021
He was also asked about the controversial high-speed rail project in California that is currently over budget and behind schedule. He said there would likely be funding for that project, but that, "I think it's important to recognize, that different parts of the country can benefit from high-speed rail. This is about lifting our game as a country."
Buttigieg said roads, bridges and trains would all benefit from the Biden Administration plans, and that "We're looking for shovel-ready projects, but also shovel-worthy projects.
He said, "When you see the countries doing more than we are... America's not in first place in infrastructure, we're 13th. There's no good reason why we should settle for less."
Featured photo by Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees