Despite Opposition, Trump's FAA Pick Narrowly Moves to Senate Vote

Bryan Bedford has faced growing pushback due to his positions on the 1,500-hour rule and other safety-related provisions.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 04:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: Steve Spears

Former Republic Airways CEO and now FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford [Courtesy: Republic Airways]

Key Takeaways:

Bryan Bedford’s nomination for FAA administrator narrowly advanced through a partisan Senate committee vote, despite opposition stemming from his past misrepresentation of pilot credentials and his stances on aviation safety.
His confirmation faces significant pushback, particularly due to his reluctance to fully commit to upholding the 1,500-hour pilot training rule, a critical safety standard for first officers, and his views on issues like single-pilot operations and pilot retirement age.
While Bedford is backed by major aviation industry groups and former FAA administrators who emphasize his experience, critics express concern about his dedication to established safety regulations and his leadership approach to the FAA's ongoing challenges in staffing and modernization.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted Wednesday to advance Bryan Bedford’s nomination for FAA administrator, despite growing opposition over his stances on aviation safety-related issues.

The confirmation of Bedford, the longtime CEO of Republic Airways, will now move to the full Senate after a narrow 15-13 vote. The vote was a partisan split, with united support from Republicans and unanimous opposition from Democrats.