Biden's FAA Pick Stalls After 8 Months. Jean-Pierre: 'When I Say We, I Mean Phil Washington' (March 22, 2023)

President Joe Biden’s pick to run the Federal Aviation Administration had been waiting for eight months, and on March 22, 2023, his nomination hit a wall. A reporter asked the White House why it was still standing by him.

“And then, real quick, on Phil Washington, the administration’s nominee for the FAA: The Senate Commerce Committee abruptly delayed his committee vote. This comes nearly eight months after Phil Washington was initially nominated. The FAA has now been without a permanent director for nearly a year amid a lot of turmoil in the aviation industry,” the reporter said [1].

“And so, I — I guess I’m wondering why the administration is so intent on digging in on a nominee who, after eight months of being nominated, still doesn’t seem to have convinced senators that he deserves this position.” [1]

“So, look, we think he has the qualification. When we — when I say ‘we,’ I mean Phil Washington — he has the qualifications and the experience for this role,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre answered, according to the official White House transcript [1].

The video above shows the exchange at the March 22, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official White House transcript, the American Presidency Project, Sen. Ted Budd’s office and the FAA [1][2][3][4].

”One of the Busiest Airport in the World”

Jean-Pierre listed his résumé. “He has led the Denver International Airport, one of the busiest airport in the world; managed large transportation safety organization; and served as a Command Serg- — Sergeant Major in the military. This is a role with a key safety mandate. And that’s what we believe. We believe that he is experienced for this role,” she said [1].

She cited Sen. Maria Cantwell. “We’re going to continue to urge Senate to move swiftly on his confirmation. And we heard today from Senator Cantwell herself — has made clear that Phil Washington’s nomination will receive full — full consideration from the committee,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

Seven Questions, No Answers

Republicans had been making the case against him for weeks. On March 1, “Senator Budd asked Mr. Washington seven questions on aviation policy and he was unable to answer any of them,” according to the office of Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C. [3]

“Instead of focusing on their actual qualifications for the job, President Biden nominated someone who did not have the basic aviation knowledge necessary to lead the FAA. At a time when air safety is a top priority, we cannot afford to have an FAA Administrator who needs on the job training,” Budd said [3].

”An Onslaught of Unfounded Republican Attacks”

Within days, Washington was out. On March 27, 2023, a reporter asked: “Karine, can you discuss what happened with your FAA nominee and what you plan to do next? I mean, obviously, there have been some high-profile incidents, and people are concerned about the safety of our commercial aviation system. So what’s next?” [2]

“So, FAA needs — they need — they need a confirmed administrator, period. Like, that’s what they need. That’s what the country and Americans deserve,” Jean-Pierre said. “Phil Washington had the right qualifications and experience for this role.” [2]

She blamed Republicans. “And, you know, there were games that were played on — you know, an onslaught of unfounded Republican attacks on Mr. Washington, on his service, his experience, and which irresponsibly delayed the process, so — including threatening unnecessary procedural hurdles on the Senate floor,” Jean-Pierre said [2].

“And so, you know, Senate Republicans’ month-long relentless campaign to sink the nomination of a qualified, again, military veteran. Our administration believes that his service in uniform is an asset. That should have been an asset,” Jean-Pierre said [2].

“This was a veteran of the military. He was a veteran,” she said. “So, again, we respect Mr. Washington’s decision and are grateful for the time he dedicated to this process and continued commitment to public service.” [2]

Budd had a different message for the White House: “I encourage President Biden to choose a new nominee who has the qualifications and experience in aviation that the flying public will accept.” [3]

The Year Without a Leader

The FAA’s troubles were not hypothetical. In January, the agency’s own safety-notice system crashed. “The FAA has ordered airlines to pause all domestic departures until 9 a.m. Eastern Time to allow the agency to validate the integrity of flight and safety information,” the agency said on Jan. 11, 2023 [4].

Its review found that “contract personnel unintentionally deleted files while working to correct synchronization between the live primary database and a backup database.” [4]

By the Numbers

8 months: how long Washington’s nomination had been pending, per the reporter [1].
Nearly a year: how long the FAA had gone without a permanent leader [1].
7: aviation questions Budd said Washington could not answer [3].
March 27, 2023: when Jean-Pierre and Budd responded to his withdrawal [2][3].

What Happened Next

Biden had to start over. The White House was back to asking the Senate for a confirmed FAA chief. “But again, the FAA needs a confirmed administrati- — administrator here,” Jean-Pierre said on March 27 [2].

For the FAA’s ground stop and the Southwest meltdown that winter, see HYGO News’ page on Jan. 3, 2023.