The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Wednesday advanced President Joe Biden’s nominees to head the Federal Aviation Administration and sit on Amtrak’s board of directors, charting a path for key transportation positions that lawmakers had previously blocked.
The panel approved by voice vote Mike Whitaker, a former United Airlines executive with experience in the FAA, for the agency’s top job. The FAA hasn’t had a permanent, Senate-confirmed leader since March 2022.
Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said she is hopeful that Whitaker has the support to quickly advance through a floor vote before acting FAA Administrator Polly Trottenberg has to step down on Oct. 26 under the statute that limits the term for acting officials.
