Pete Buttigieg fact-checks a GOP congressman to his face at House hearing
Out Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is getting praise online for fact-checking a Republican congressman to his face earlier today at a hearing held by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) spent part of his time questioning Buttigieg on the offensive, going after the Biden administration’s efforts to promote the electric vehicle (EV) industry in the United States. During his questioning, Perry claimed that the EV industry “is in a bit of a tailspin” and accused the Biden administration of trying to “bribe the industry.” He also claimed that EV adoption by the wider public has “failed at this point.”
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“When is Fox News going to figure out that it’s impossible to paint Pete Buttigieg into a corner?”
“I’m wondering if there’s some point- if you’ve identified some point where you will stop, where the administration will stop, where the federal government will stop this requirement and let the market decide as opposed to this central planning model and this dictatorial policy?” Perry asked.
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Buttigieg, though, didn’t accept the premise of the question and started pointing out Perry’s factual inaccuracies.
“Given time is limited, I will confine myself to addressing the factual incorrect portions of what you said, beginning with the assertion that EV sales are going down,” Buttigieg started. “They are, in fact, going up every single year.”
Perry tried to suggest that the government is buying the vehicles to push those numbers up, but Buttigieg said he would send the numbers over showing that private sector sales are up.
“Let me address the second factual mistake in your remarks, which was that EV costs are getting higher,” he continued. “They are, in fact, getting lower and, according to J.D. Power, have now reached parity or are slightly lower than the equivalent gas-powered cars.”
“The third incorrect assertion you made was that sales dropped in Q1 [the first three months of 2024],” Buttigieg said. “They did not drop compared to Q1 of the previous year. Of course, if you compare them to Q4, they dropped because they always do because car sales are seasonal.”
“But I imagine most people are aware of that,” Buttigieg said before Perry said that he was, in fact, comparing Q1 2024 sales to Q4 2023 sales, showing that he was not aware of that.
“The word ‘tailspin’ is a bizarre word to use for a growing sector of our economy,” Buttigieg continued.
“The final thing I need to challenge as being factually inaccurate, which is that there is no mandate,” he added. “You can purchase a gas car if you want to pay gas prices at the pump. But if you don’t, you can purchase an EV.”
Pete Buttigieg is live fact-checking republicans in Congress right now pic.twitter.com/vjNbrHpcuf— chyea ok (@chyeaok) June 27, 2024
Many conservatives are ideologically opposed to EVs, and they have often used their opposition to criticize Buttigieg and the Biden administration. One Congressmember even accused Buttigieg of trying to “emasculate the way we drive” by supporting environmentally friendly transportation.
On X, people praised Buttigieg’s responses.
Pete Buttigieg they could never make me hate you https://t.co/lXBSnqHDAQ— Ari Drennen (@AriDrennen) June 27, 2024
I'll take a President Pete, thanks.— Nick James the 1st (@nickjamesthe1) June 27, 2024
Holy crap he smoked him from all sides and probably kept going after the vid cuts off. Pete is better at this than anyone in the public arena on any topic— Shalin Patel (@heyshalin) June 27, 2024
Pete is my favorite future candidate— Auntie Social Media Times (@media_auntie) June 27, 2024
When the truth is challenged numbers always win. I believe that’s key to an effective speaker. No snickering, no name calling, just numbers and facts.— Auntie Social Media Times (@media_auntie) June 27, 2024
I really hope Pete’s our prez one day. Live this so much— Brad Bo (@BradBeauregardJ) June 27, 2024
God I wish Pete were the Dem presidential nominee.— Crypto Spring (@CryptoSpringo) June 27, 2024
— JusticeNow (@ChrisJustice01) June 27, 2024
Pete was right — Kenzi (@urlylyes) June 27, 2024
I absolutely love how he doesn’t allow others to bully or steamroll over him. A very solid guy. — KAM (@KAM09306629) June 27, 2024
He’s so good at this, & what increases the power of his words is that they aren’t delivered in levels of hysteria & rage that match the GOP, they are presented in stark contrast to that hysteria, calmly, rationally & w/authority.— Anne (@SparksMom53) June 27, 2024
Get ‘em, Pete! pic.twitter.com/uqZdjDJ5GR— LolLioness#TeamPeteForever (@LolLioness) June 27, 2024
I love this man. So smart and capable. President Pete sounds good to me.— I’mSpeaking (@sarjd) June 27, 2024
Why do these jerks ask questions and when they don't like the answers just talk over the witness.— Kate (@Lessafetoday08) June 27, 2024
Buttigieg always does a fantastic job of handling misinformation/lies in a calm straightforward manner. He’s very good at this.— kansas independent (@fanofbooks2849) June 27, 2024
I'd venture to guess Rep Perry looked at Tesla numbers and just assumed that was for all non-ICE sold vehicles. Either he or his staff didn't put in the research and was looking for the 10 secs of fame on media.— Just Me. (@skiswm) June 27, 2024
I’m surprised he didn’t point out the huge subsidies of the agricultural industry or the fossil fuel industries. Both get *billions* from taxpayers.— Linda is happy to be home. (@LindaM32109623) June 27, 2024
I'd venture to guess Rep Perry looked at Tesla numbers and just assumed that was for all non-ICE sold vehicles. Either he or his staff didn't put in the research and was looking for the 10 secs of fame on media.— Just Me. (@skiswm) June 27, 2024
We leased an EV 4WD SUV last year. It costs us less than $5 of electricity to go about 250 miles (going from an 80% charge to recharging). Our old SUV would cost $35-40 to go as far. Also, our EV is all torque & can go 0-60 in about 5 seconds. People who knock EVs don’t have one.— Richard Nanian (@litprof2) June 27, 2024
Rep. Perry challenged Secretary Pete to a battle of wits, and to make it a fair fight, Secretary Pete only used half of his— Michael Barclay (@mbarc52) June 27, 2024
Love Sec Pete, you tell 'em!!!! Where is that guy going to buy a car where he's being told it's a mandate for electric. Betting that's news to every dealership in the US. Maybe he should go to one.— Thisredhead (@rednr) June 27, 2024
I’m so sick of the GOP lies abt EVs just to bolster the finances of the companies harming the environment!— Gail Shannon (@DesignerInVA) June 27, 2024
I love Pete. He’s smart and doesn’t stand for the Republicans BS. He just deals in facts and they just hate that… meanwhile, I hope I live long enough to see him become president one day.— Cheri (@Cheri73432513) June 27, 2024
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