Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) went after Phil Washington, President Joe Biden’s most recent nominee slated to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, as of this past Monday, claiming that the man has zero experience in aviation, let alone aviation safety.
“What the Biden administration is doing here is they’ve nominated him because some Colorado Democrats care about putting him in this position,” stated Cruz as part of the most recent episode of “Verdict.” “Several Democrats have expressed concerns.”
“And I got to say, look, let’s say you’re a Democrat senator and let’s say you’re up for re-election in 2024 as a whole bunch of them are. Do you really want to cast a vote to confirm an FAA Administrator with zero experience in aviation or aviation safety?” stated Cruz. “You know, listen, if God forbid, in the next two years there’s an airline crash — and look, we’ve had a series of near misses. This position has not had a Senate-confirmed administrator in a year because the Biden administration doesn’t prioritize it.”
“Instead, they’re using it as a political benefit, as a gift, a patronage job,” Cruz went on. “Look, we ought to have an FAA administrator in there right now who knows what he or she is doing and is examining why are these near misses happening and how can we prevent them from happening? But if you’re a Democrat senator, and God forbid, there is an airline crash, do you really want to be going to your voters saying, ‘Yeah, I voted to put in place a guy who had no idea what he was doing. And now a bunch of people [have lost their lives]?'”
“The Biden White House is putting politics above the safety of you and your kids,” he went on.
After serving in the Army for just over two decades, Washington worked as the CEO of Denver’s Regional Transportation District and as CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority. Back in 2021, He ended up working as the CEO of the Denver International Airport.
WATCH:
TRANSCRIPT:
SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): What the Biden administration is doing here is they’ve nominated [Phil Washington], because some Colorado Democrats care about putting him in this position. And they’re treating the FAA as patronage position, they’re treating it as just a spoils system. ‘Let’s stick a Democrat’ because this makes Democrat politicians happy. Both Democrat senators from Colorado, came to the came to the committee and introduced him and this is all about the Denver mayor was there, this big song and dance? This is all about, we’re giving a favor, a political favor. … I don’t think he’ll be confirmed. Several Democrats have expressed concerns. And I gotta say, look, let’s say you’re a Democrat Senator and let’s say you’re up for re-election i2024 as a whole bunch of them are. Do you really want to cast a vote to confirm an FAA Administrator with zero experience in aviation or aviation safety? You know, listen, if God forbid, in the next two years there’s an airline crash — and look, we’ve had a series of near misses. This this position has not had a Senate confirmed administrator in a year because the Biden administration doesn’t prioritize it. Instead, they’re using it as a political benefit, as a gift, a patronage job… Look, we ought to have an FAA administrator in there right now who knows what he or she is doing and is examining why are these near misses happening and how can we prevent them from happening? But if you’re a Democrat Senator, and God forbid, there isn’t an airline crash, do you really want to be going to your voters saying, ‘Yeah, I voted to put in place a guy who had no idea what he was doing. And now a bunch of people [have lost their lives]’ … Look what [the Biden administration] needs to do, they need to pull this nomination. And they nominate need ot nominate someone who’s qualified. And if they nominate someone who’s qualified, who has real experience in aviation safety, that person is going to get confirmed with a big bipartisan majority. We all want to see someone in the FAA who knows how to make air travel safe. And right now, the Biden White House is putting politics above the safety of you and your kids.
