The Senate voted 98-0 to approve President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday, ending a span of nearly 19 months in which the agency was without a Senate-confirmed chief.

Michael Whitaker is a former deputy FAA administrator and most recently served as chief operating officer of a Hyundai affiliate that is developing an air taxi.

Whitaker will take over an agency that faces many challenges, including a surge in close calls between planes at major airports, a shortage of air traffic controllers, and aging technology that resulted in a brief nationwide halt in flights in January.

  • vortic@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    The only reason that this was unanimous is because it actually effects senators. They all fly more than the average person so they are self-interested in making sure that the FAA operates smoothly.

    You could also say that this is evidence that Republicans understand that regulations help keep people safe. They just vote against most regulations because they don’t care about people other than themselves.

    • Zippy@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      What makes you think more regulations automatically will make it safer? Possibly this guy wants to reduce the red tape that is making our systems antiquated and deterring people from working in that industry.