Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was summoned Sunday by Fox News presenter Chris Wallace to widely overestimate the number of jobs that would create President Biden’s $ 2 trillion infrastructure package.
Wallace noted that Buttigieg and other administration officials announced the false figures during news appearances last Sunday.
“But it turns out that the study he cites, Moody’s Analytics, says the economy will add 16.3 million jobs without the infrastructure bill and 2.7 million more. So, as you said last Sunday, it doesn’t create 19 million jobs, “Wallace told Fox News Sunday about the” American Jobs Plan. ”
“Again, Secretary Buttigieg, why deceive people?” he asked.
“You are right, it should have been more accurate. The 19 million jobs that will be created are more than those that will be created if we do not make the plan. And it’s very important to point out that point, as you just showed us, “said Buttigieg, a former Democratic presidential candidate.
“True, but 2 million, 2 million is not 19 million,” Wallace said.
Buttigieg then insisted if he agreed that he and National Economic Council director Brian Deese, who used the 19 million number, were exaggerating the impact the infrastructure package would have on the sites. work.
“But the conclusion is that it will add jobs. And that’s a direct refutation of people saying the opposite, ”Buttigieg said.
“Well, yes, you’re right, it should be very accurate. The difference in jobs suggested by this particular analysis is 2.7 million more. This is a great place. Why wouldn’t we want the United States to create 2.7 million more jobs? ” added.