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Whistleblower

Issue: Aviation

Whitaker Demonstrates He is Ready to Lead FAA, Committed to Building a Robust Workforce and Safety Culture

Michael Whitaker, President Biden’s nominee to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), demonstrated his depth and breadth of aviation and managerial experience and commitment to meeting the challenges facing the agency during his nomination hearing today in front of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, chaired by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).

Cantwell Opening Statement During FAA Nomination Hearing

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today delivered the following opening statement at the nomination hearing for Michael Whitaker, President Biden’s nominee to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Mr. Whitaker was introduced by Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. Watch the hearing live and read the testimony here.

Cantwell Statement on Senate Passage of a Short-Term FAA Extension

As the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faced both an expiration in authorization and funding tonight, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the following statement after both chambers passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government for 45 days and extend the authorities of the FAA through December 31, 2023:

Cantwell Announces Funding Opportunity for New Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Technology Program to Decarbonize Air Travel and Fight Climate Change

Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, announced the first round of applications for the Department of Transportation’s new Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition Sustainable Aviation Fuel (FAST-SAF) and Low-Emission Aviation Technology (FAST-TECH) grant program designed to invest in building sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply chains and developing low-emission aviation technologies. Enacted via the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022, Sen. Cantwell authored the program and urged its inclusion in the final bill. As Commerce Chair, Sen. Cantwell continues to lead Congressional efforts this year to reauthorize the FAA and increase the adoption of low-emission and innovative aviation technologies for cleaner, quieter and more affordable air travel.

Cantwell Statement on the Nomination of Mike Whitaker as FAA Administrator

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which oversees the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), released the following statement after President Biden’s announcement that he will nominate Mike Whitaker to be the next FAA Administrator:

Cantwell, Cruz, Duckworth, Moran Introduce Bipartisan FAA Reauthorization

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Aviation Subcommittee Chair Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2023 to ensure the United States has safe, reliable and resilient air travel, stronger consumer protections for the flying public, advanced research in aviation innovation and a modernized national airspace system to maintain the gold standard in aviation safety for years to come.

Cantwell Calls For Surge of Federal Investment in Sustainable Aircraft Technology Poised to Make Flying Cleaner, Quieter and Cheaper

Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led a hearing focused on innovative and sustainable aviation technologies and called for increased federal funding in the next FAA reauthorization legislation for developing next generation commercial airplanes that cut carbon emissions, reduce noise and lower fuel costs.

Chair Cantwell Calls for New ‘Passenger Bill of Rights’ in Committee Hearing on Aviation

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led a hearing focused on protecting airline travelers and called for a new “Passenger Bill of Rights” in the forthcoming reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that would strengthen refund rules, eliminate junk fees, work toward a minimum seat size and make it easier for families to sit together on a flight.