WASHINGTON — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issued this statement after the Senate voted, 98-0, to confirm Michael Whitaker to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
“We applaud today’s Senate floor vote to confirm Michael Whitaker as the next FAA Administrator. As the nation’s largest transportation labor federation, we are a vital partner in ensuring the safety of the flying public and the workers who serve them. As our federal partner in aviation safety, we firmly believe that the FAA needs a permanent leader to ensure the highest levels of success.
“In the 18 months since the FAA last had a confirmed leader, the aviation industry has faced safety challenges, flight disruptions, and staffing issues among air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals.
“As the expiration of the FAA’s current authorization approaches, the agency needs strong leadership that functions on behalf of workers and passengers. The transportation labor movement is confident in Mr. Whitaker’s ability to address the issues facing the aviation industry and deliver a strong FAA reauthorization.
“We congratulate Mr. Whitaker on being confirmed as the next FAA Administrator and look forward to working with him.”
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