House Dem Calls Out Buttigieg After Southwest Cancels Thousands of Flights: ‘Could Have Been Avoided’

Conservatives are not the only ones criticizing Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in the wake of Southwest Airlines canceling thousands of flights.

Now some criticism is coming from within his own party.

In a tweet on Thursday, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) wrote, “Nearly six months ago I called for Buttigieg to implement fines penalties on airlines for cancelling flights.”

“Why were these recommendations not followed? This mess with Southwest could have been avoided. We need bold action,” he continued.

Khanna shared a June article from the progressive magazine The American Prospect.

It noted Sanders urged Buttigieg to implement steps to punish airlines for canceling flights, such as requiring them to reimburse passengers or fining airlines if they cancel flights due to staffing issues.

In a June letter, Khanna told the Transportation secretary, “The Department’s incremental response so far has been lacking the urgency, imagination, and boldness to meet the moment and needs of the American people.”

The congressman also told the Prospect he believes Buttigieg “needs to lay out a framework for what the consequences will be for canceled flights, understaffing, and misrepresentations to passengers.”

Khanna’s tweet comes as Southwest has come under fire for canceling thousands of flights.