Republicans say Biden FAA nominee is ‘not qualified’ for the job

Senate Republicans on Wednesday bashed President Biden’s pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, accusing him of not being qualified to head the agency.

In his first confirmation hearing since Biden, 80, nominated him for the post nearly eight months ago, Phil Washington was grilled by Republicans on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, who called out his lack of experience in the aviation industry.

“He does not have any experience in aviation safety. This quite simply is a position he is not qualified for,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said. “I’m disappointed that the administration has chosen to treat a critical safety position as a patronage job.”