Although President Joseph Biden continues to assert he will run again for the White Office in 2024, he also continues to earn less and less support not just nationwide, but in Congress. Biden just nominated Philip Washington to be the administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency. Washington is the CEO of Denver International Airport.
“Phillip A. Washington was nominated by Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock and unanimously confirmed by the Denver City Council as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Denver International Airport. Prior to this, Washington was the CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).
At Metro, Washington managed a budget of more than $8 billion and oversaw 11,000 employees that transported 1.2 million boarding passengers daily on a fleet of 2,200 clean-air buses and six rail lines. Washington also previously served as the CEO of Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) and worked as the Assistant General Manager of RTD for nearly 10 years before being named CEO,” The White House said in announcing his nomination in July.
“Originally from the South Side of Chicago, Washington is a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Army, where he held the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He retired from active duty, is a disabled veteran, and was awarded the prestigious Defense Superior Service Medal for exceptional service to his country. He holds a B.A. in Business from Columbia College, and an M.A. in Management from Webster University,” it said.
Nevertheless, Biden’s candidate to lead the Federal Aviation Agency has withdrawn due to thin Senate support. Even though Democrats held a majority in the Senate, it looked that Washington lacked the necessary votes to be confirmed, according to The Associated Press.
Saturday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tweeted that Washington has withdrawn his candidacy. “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,” he added.
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.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) March 26, 2023
The Associated Press released a report.
Republicans were unified in their opposition to Washington, claiming that his little flying expertise rendered him unfit. Democrats and allied independents might have still advanced the nomination, but crucial senators on their side refused to back Biden’s choice.
The fate of Washington looked to be sealed when Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, unexpectedly canceled a scheduled vote last Wednesday, indicating that she lacked sufficient votes to advance the nominee out of committee. She said that several senators desired further knowledge on Washington.
More on this story via The Republic Brief:
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who was a Democrat until switching to independent in December, and moderate Democrat Jon Tester of Montana declined to say how they would have voted. A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Sinema was holding up the nomination and had indicated her opposition.
The person was not authorized to discuss the process publicly and insisted on anonymity. CONTINUE READING…