Phil Washington. President Joe Biden’s top pick for director of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has withdrawn his nomination following concerns over his qualifications and experience.
“The FAA needs a confirmed Administrator, and Phil Washington’s transportation & military experience made him an excellent nominee,” Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg tweeted on Saturday. “The partisan attacks and procedural obstruction he has faced are undeserved, but I respect his decision to withdraw and am grateful for his service.”
Washington has been the subject of consistent criticism, primarily from Republicans, as his only aviation experience is his nearly two-year stint as Chief Executive Officer of Denver International Airport. Before that, he had a background in leading transit agencies following a career in the Army.
Senate Republicans joined with Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema to block Biden’s nomination of Phillip Washington to become FAA administrator. Republicans argued that Washington, the chief executive of Denver International Airport, was not qualified.https://t.co/s4D60XDSX7
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) March 27, 2023
GOP Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said in a statement that “this wasn’t the time for an administrator who needed on-the-job training.”
“The Biden administration must now quickly name someone to head the FAA who has an extensive aviation background, can earn widespread bipartisan support in the Senate, and will keep the flying public safe,” Cruz added.
Independent Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who resigned from the Democratic Party last September, also refused to back him. Sinema’s opposition made it more difficult for Washington’s nomination to pass the Senate without GOP support.
Democratic Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, on the other hand, expressed his support for Washington’s nomination, saying that he “has the qualifications and experience to lead the FAA.”
“The FAA requires strong and independent leadership from someone who will focus on safety,” Cantwell said in a statement. “Republicans chose to drum up falsehoods rather than give the flying public and the aviation industry the leadership needed now.”
The FAA has been without a confirmed administrator for over a year. It is expected that Washington’s departure will mean an additional few months of delays in the selection of a new candidate that must pass through the Senate confirmation process.
“I decided that for the good of the FAA and the country, I would withdraw my name,” Washington said in a statement on Monday. “I wanted to put the country first.”
Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen will continue to lead the agency until the Senate confirms a permanent leader.
