Biden's pick to lead the FAA withdraws from nomination

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Politics

Updated 11:45 PM EDT, Sat March 25, 2023

CNN — President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration is withdrawing his name from nomination due to “an onslaught of unfounded Republican attacks” on the nominee’s service and experience, a White House official told CNN.

Phillip Washington’s nomination was first announced by the White House last year, but has faced strong criticism from Republican lawmakers over a number of issues, including Washington’s slim aviation credentials and his potential legal entanglements. The White House respects Washington’s decision to withdraw his name and praised his public service record and qualifications to lead the FAA, the official said.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation was scheduled to vote on Washington’s nomination on Wednesday, but that vote was postponed. A Republican Senate aide told CNN after the postponed vote that “he was pulled because they don’t have the votes to report him out of committee.”

Because Republicans remained unified in their opposition to Washington’s prospective leadership, “his nomination is on life support,” the aide said. The nomination withdrawal was first reported by Reuters.

Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/25/politics/faa-nominee-phil-washington-withdrawing/index.html

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Since Democrats are the majority in the Senate, there was obviously at least one (D) that remains unnamed, who also apparently had a problem with moving forward.

Of course in the previous administration, few had any experience to run the Departments and agencies they were nominated and confirmed for but that was fine.

[multigraincracker]

1. The same people that thought

TFG had the qualifications to be President? Getting kind of picky.

[Lonestarblue]

2. Too many positions require Senate confirmation.

That’s how Republicans, and sometimes Democrats, keep things from getting done.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. At least Harry Reid took the step to do the nuclear option a decade ago

after Turtle made sure to block most of Obama's nominees due to the 60-vote requirement at the time to proceed for a confirmation, where DU got mad at Obama for not getting appointees confirmed.

So it's been a sea-change in terms of staffing the many agencies.

As of last month (Feb. 23, 2023) - https://ourpublicservice.org/performance-measures/political-appointee-tracker/

[Novara]

4. I disagree

The confirmation process often gives the public the chance to pressure their senators, pro or con. If there was no confirmation, presidents would fill these positions with utterly unqualified cronies. Even with the confirmation process, if the Senate is filled with idiot republicans, the cabinet gets filled with utterly unqualified cronies. See: the last administration.

Biden has done pretty well. At least his picks are qualified.

[jaxexpat]

9. "......gives the public the chance to pressure their senators,...."

How many attempts by individual citizens to get their message to a senator does it take to equal 30 minutes at lunch with one well-heeled PAC lobbyist representing a single special interest? Obviously, with some senators there is no concern of even a majority of their constituents important enough to get their attention.

You want to begin a meaningful relationship between the government and the public, outlaw campaign donations from PACs. After a decade or so with that, eliminate industry lobbying. When you find none of that is working, legislate a formal return to and mandate for truth in advertising and the fairness doctrine. Take the profit out of lying, making it very uncomfortable to publicize false information.

[oldsoftie]

5. Ans what are the "legal entanglements"?

[BumRushDaShow]

6. Apparently some "politics" and whistleblower reports

regarding some no-bid contracts allegedly steered to acquaintances during the time he was head of the Los Angeles Metro system (before taking over at Denver's airport).

Since that L.A. probe is ongoing, it unfortunately becomes a distraction.

[oldsoftie]

7. Thank you

[BumRushDaShow]

11. You're welcome

I was curious what was up but I know that Biden also picked him because I believe he was part of the transition team too...

[Fullduplexxx]

8. The magic word I think is acting

[Major Nikon]

10. Fun Fact: Shrub appointed the first non-pilot FAA administrator

Trump also tried to appoint his own personal pilot who had zero experience beyond being a pilot.

[Xandric]

12. Sinema opposed the nomination

as a narcissist, she's going to play contrarian most of the time against Democrats, for not treating her like a queen.

[Evolve Dammit]

14. Yep. Welcome to DU!

[NullTuples]

13. First the FCC, now the FAA...this is like Obama's appointments all over again.

Addison McConnell did proudly promise back in 2010 that the GOP would be the, "party of obstruction" going forward to any Democratic President.