CNN
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President Joe Biden’s select to guide the Federal Aviation Management is retreating his title from nomination because of “an onslaught of unfounded Republican assaults” at the nominee’s provider and revel in, a White Area respectable instructed CNN.
Phillip Washington’s nomination was once first introduced by way of the White Area remaining yr, however has faced strong criticism from Republican lawmakers over quite a lot of problems, together with Washington’s slender aviation credentials and his doable prison entanglements.
The White Area respects Washington’s determination to withdraw his title and praised his public provider document and {qualifications} to guide the FAA, the respectable mentioned.
The Senate Committee on Trade, Science and Transportation was once scheduled to vote on Washington’s nomination on Wednesday, however that vote was once postponed. A Republican Senate aide told CNN after the postponed vote that “he was once pulled as a result of they don’t have the votes to document him out of committee.”
As a result of Republicans remained unified of their opposition to Washington’s potential management, “his nomination is on existence beef up,” the aide mentioned.
The nomination withdrawal was once first reported by way of Reuters.
Washington, the present CEO of the Denver World Airport, has held management roles at municipal transit organizations, together with in Denver and Los Angeles, desirous about bus and rail strains. He additionally led the Biden-Harris transition group for the Division of Transportation. Previous to his paintings in transportation, Washington served within the army for twenty-four years.
Whilst Washington has labored in transportation-related positions since 2000, he had no revel in within the aviation trade previous to becoming a member of the Denver airport in 2021 – one thing that become a big worry amongst committee contributors.
The White Area will paintings to make a choice a brand new nominee to guide the FAA, the respectable mentioned.
“Politics will have to now not cling up confirming an Administrator to guide the FAA, and we can transfer expeditiously to appoint a brand new candidate for FAA Administrator. We imagine the Senate owes it to the American other people to all of a sudden believe and ensure a pace-setter to this key protection company,” the respectable mentioned.