WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today released the following statement regarding President Biden’s intent to nominate Phillip A. Washington for Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

“The FAA has lacked a permanent leader for far too long. While I am pleased that the White House finally has prioritized this vacancy and submitted a nominee for Senate vetting, I am skeptical because of the nominee’s lack of experience in aviation. This position requires extensive knowledge of the industry in order to ensure the safety and efficiency of the agency and American air travel. I look forward to vetting this nominee thoroughly in the coming weeks,” Wicker said.