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

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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 from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation despite growing opposition over his stances on aviation safety.
A primary concern among detractors, including Democrats and accident victim families, is Bedford's refusal to explicitly commit to upholding the 1,500-hour pilot training rule, alongside questions about his prior misrepresentation of commercial pilot credentials.
Bedford, the longtime CEO of Republic Airways, receives broad support from various aviation stakeholders and former FAA administrators who cite his extensive industry experience and his stated priority of modernizing the FAA's air traffic control system.

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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.