The Senate voted unanimously to confirm Michael Whitaker, President Biden’s nominee to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Confirmation: The Senate’s decision on Tuesday ends a period of about 19 months without a Senate-confirmed FAA chief.
* Whitaker, a former deputy FAA administrator and most recently the COO of a Hyundai affiliate involved in air taxi development, gained unanimous endorsement from the Senate Commerce Committee last week.
* The Senate’s approval indicates strong bipartisan support for Whitaker’s nomination.
Key Challenges Ahead: Whitaker is taking over the FAA amid several challenges facing the agency.
* These include an alarming increase in near collisions at major airports, a shortage of air traffic controllers, and outdated technology which caused a brief nationwide flight halt in January.
* Committee Chair Maria Cantwell stated that Whitaker’s priorities will be to “build a strong safety culture, attract new talent and keep pace with technology transformation.”
Previous FAA Leadership: The FAA has been without a Senate-confirmed head since March 2022.
* Stephen Dickson, the former administrator, resigned in the middle of his five-year term.
* Biden’s first choice for the position, Phil Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport, faced opposition in the Commerce Committee, leaving the FAA leadership vacant for a prolonged period.
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