WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden’s nominee to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) who withdrew from his consideration said Monday he did not see a path forward for winning approval.
Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington said in a statement Monday he had written to Biden on Friday to withdraw. “I no longer saw a respectful, civil, and viable path forward to Senate confirmation. I faced cheap and unfounded partisan attacks and procedural obstruction with regard to my military career that would have further lengthened the already delayed confirmation process,” Washington said.
Senate Republicans said Washington was unqualified to serve citing his limited aviation experience. Democrats were forced to cancel a planned committee vote on his confirmation last week after some Democrats had additional questions about his nomination.
(Reporting by David Shepardson)