Position authorized after 18-month vacancy.
The Senate voted unanimously to approve Michael Whitaker as the next administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA has been operating without a head for the last 18 months after President Joe Biden’s first nominee for the position withdrew after concerns over his qualifications for the role delayed the confirmation process. Whitaker’s nomination has gone smoothly, receiving key minority party support during the process as well as the unanimous support of the Senate Commerce Committee last week.
Committee chair Maria Cantwell of Washington reiterated her support for Whitaker ahead of the final vote, saying on the Senate floor that Whitaker’s priorities will be to “build a strong safety culture, attract new talent and keep pace with technology transformation.” Whitaker has already served as a deputy FAA administrator in the past, and most recently worked as the chief operating officer of Hyundai’s air taxi initiative.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Administrator Whitaker as he assumes his new role in the FAA.
- For wisdom for members of the Senate as they consider and vote on confirmations of the president’s appointees.
Sources: Reuters, NPR
