Qualified-Pilot Members of Congress Battle Over Biden’s FAA Nominee

Lawmakers with aviation experience are weighing in on President Joe Biden’s decision to nominate Phil Washington to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) despite his having no prior aviation expertise.
Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), who is a member of the Commerce Committee and has a pilot’s license, organized a letter (pdf) to Biden on Thursday urging him to withdraw Washington’s nomination. Budd was joined by other Republican lawmakers who have aviation qualifications, including Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Reps. August Pfluger (R-Texas), Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Scott Franklin (R-Fla.), Jake Ellzey (R-Texas), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), John James (R-Mich.), Mike Garcia (R-Calif.), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), and Chris Stewart (R-Utah)….}