U.S. Senate Panel Cancels Planned Vote for Aviation Regulator Nominee

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee canceled a planned vote Wednesday on President Joe Biden’s nominee to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell said she was delaying the vote but did not immediately specify a new date to consider the nomination.

Biden first nominated Denver International Airport Chief Executive Officer Phil Washington to serve as top U.S. aviation regulator last year as the agency faces questions after a series of close-call safety incidents. Washington has come under fire from Republicans who question if he has the required aviation experience needed for the job.