WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) – President Joe Biden’s pick to run the Federal Aviation Administration has withdrawn his nomination, a setback for the administration that came after Denver International Airport CEO Phillip Washington failed to gain enough support in a closely divided Senate.
Washington’s withdrawal was confirmed last night by a person familiar with the situation who insisted on anonymity to discuss the matter. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Republicans were united in their opposition to Washington, calling him unqualified because of his limited aviation experience. Democrats and their independent allies could still push for the nomination, but key senators on their side have not agreed to support Biden’s choice.
Washington’s fate appeared sealed when Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., abruptly canceled a vote scheduled for last Wednesday — a sign that she did not have enough votes to move the nominee out of committee. He said some senators wanted more information about Washington.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, a Democrat who switched to independent in December, and moderate Democrat Jon Tester of Montana declined to say how they would vote. Before the White House announces a new nominee, it will likely seek assurances of support from Sinema, Tester and other moderates.
The FAA has been without a Senate-confirmed administrator since March 2022. The agency is trying to reassure Americans that air travel is safe despite a surge in close calls between planes this year. It also struggled with aging technology that failed in January, canceling all takeoffs across the country. And it is still trying to repair its reputation after approving Boeing planes that crashed in 2018 and 2019.
Washington ran transit agencies in Denver and Los Angeles, but his only aviation-related experience was as CEO of the Denver airport for less than two years. But he has strong ties to the administration — he led Biden’s 2020 transition team for the Department of Transportation, which includes the FAA.
Biden nominated Washington last July, but he didn’t get a committee hearing for eight months. Republicans attacked his resume and arrested him in the disclosure that his name appeared in search warrants related to the corruption investigation in Los Angeles.
Washington said he has done nothing wrong and has not been contacted by law enforcement. The agency is headed by an acting administrator, Billy Nolen, a pilot who has held safety duties at three airlines and the FAA. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who leads the opposition to Washington, said Nolen could win bipartisan support.
Koenig reported from Dallas.