Biden FAA Nominee Who Struggled to Answer Basic Questions Withdraws After Sen. Sinema Voices Opposition

• Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema, a former Arizona Democrat who refused to back Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better Act,” has successfully opposed Biden’s nominee for the director of the Federal Aviation Administration. Phillip Washington withdrew his candidacy due to opposition from Sinema.
• The FAA director position has been vacant since March 2022, with Billy Nolen serving as acting director. Surprisingly, despite Nolen’s 33 years of experience in the airline industry, Biden chose to make an appointment in the form of a 24-year Army veteran.
• Sinema shares the concerns of Republican senators, including Ted Cruz, who argued that Washington doesn’t have the required aviation safety experience for the appointment.
• Earlier in March, during a hearing on Washington’s nomination, Senator Cruz said, “With all due respect, Mr. Washington, it does not reassure the flying public that their pilot may be a transgendered witch who doesn’t know how to prevent the plane from crashing and killing them. I believe your record is woefully inadequate.”

Why This Matters

• Sinema’s opposition indicates that concern over Washington’s appointment is not just a partisan issue. Washington’s withdrawal is just the latest in a string of Biden’s nominees who have received criticism for being unqualified for their positions.
• In February, Biden’s nominee for United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, Marian F. Gaston, refused to answer whether she supported maintaining the Sex Offender Registry.
• In March, Washington was unable to answer any questions on certain aviation topics during a hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee.