Biden tapped Phillip Washington, the current CEO of Denver International Airport, to lead the transportation agency in July but he has yet to receive a confirmation hearing in the Senate. The FAA has been without a permanent leader since March when Stephen Dickson, the former administrator appointed by Donald Trump, left halfway through his five-year term.
The president reiterated Washington as his choice earlier this month.
“It’s time to clear the runway for President Biden’s choice for FAA Administrator, Phil Washington,” Schumer said during a press conference on Sunday. “With recent events, including last week’s airline issues and technology issues, this agency needs a leader confirmed immediately by the Senate.”
The majority leader then said he wanted to break the “logjam” and allow Washington to “draw on experience and answer questions” before lawmakers. If Washington is ultimately confirmed, he would be the FAA’s first permanent black administrator.
Republicans have criticized the choice, saying Washington lacks experience while also raising concerns about a criminal search last September that named him. The warrants are related to an investigation into the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority and how it awarded contracts while Washington was the agency’s CEO. There have been no official claims of wrongdoing.