President Biden’s nomination to become the Federal Aviation Administration administrator, Phillip Washington, had his nomination abruptly delayed by a Senate committee. Senator Maria Cantwell, chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, said that the committee was moving the scheduled nomination vote to a later date. This delay was the result of unresolved information that the Republican members have sought.
Washington was designated by President Joe Biden to head the Federal Aviation Administration. He is presently the chief executive at the Denver International Airport. Republican senators have argued that Biden’s nomination is unqualified for the top job of the FAA. But unions representing the 75,000 flight attendants back his nomination for the Federal Aviation Administration job. Other aviation allies also back him for the top job of the FAA.
The political skirmish comes even as the Federal Aviation Administration has functioned without a permanent leader for over a year. in the intervening period, there have been several near misses involving aircraft. There was also a data meltdown in January that led to the grounding of all aircraft flying over America.
White House Firmly Behind Washington For Federal Aviation Administration Top Job
The Republicans have voiced their support for Billy Nolen, the acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Nolen is a safety expert and a pilot and Republican Senator from Texas, Ted Cruz said that he had the requisite experience required of that position.
Cruz specifically mentioned that both were African-Americans but Nolen had the experience for the top job in the Federal Aviation Administration. This mention of race was done to deflect criticism that the Republicans were backing a white candidate.
The White House continues to firmly stand behind Washington despite the delay in the voting. Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary at the White House that Washington had both the experience and the qualification to head the Federal Aviation Administration. She said that the President’s office would continue to urge the Senate to confirm his post.
