Phil Washington Withdraws Nomination for FAA Administrator

Washington had not received a committee hearing for eight months as several lawmakers raised concerns about his aviation experience.

Amelia Walsh

Monday, March 27, 2023 at 11:44 AM ET

Verified

President Biden’s pick to head the FAA, Phil Washington, has withdrawn his nomination after failing to garner enough support in Congress. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

President Biden's nominee for FAA Administrator, Phil Washington, has withdrawn his nomination due to a lack of congressional support.
Concerns over Washington's aviation experience and his inability to answer technical questions during his confirmation hearing were major factors in the opposition he faced.
His withdrawal leaves the FAA without a confirmed leader for over a year, amidst significant challenges like system outages, flight delays, and increased safety incidents.
The Biden administration plans to quickly nominate a new candidate, as lawmakers and industry emphasize the critical need for a confirmed FAA head.

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President Biden’s pick to head the FAA, Phil Washington, has withdrawn his nomination after failing to garner enough support in Congress.

In a March 25 tweet, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed the news, writing, “The FAA needs a confirmed Administrator, and Phil Washington’s transportation & military experience made him an excellent nominee. The partisan attacks and procedural obstruction he has faced are undeserved, but I respect his decision to withdraw and am grateful for his service.”