Biden FAA nominee who withdrew cites 'cheap and unfounded partisan attacks'

President Joe Biden's nominee to head the FAA who withdrew from consideration said on Monday he did not see a path forward for winning approval. Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington said in a statement that he had written to Biden on Friday to withdraw. "I no longer saw a respectful, civil, and viable path forward to Senate confirmation," Washington said on Monday. "I faced cheap and unfounded partisan attacks and procedural obstruction with regard to my military career that would have further lengthened the already delayed confirmation process." He added: "I decided that for the good of the FAA and the country, I would withdraw my name from consideration." U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed on Saturday that Washington had withdrawn. Washington's statement on Monday offered more details into his thinking. Senate Republicans said Washington was unqualified to serve, citing his limited aviation experience and failure to answer some key questions. Democrats were forced to cancel a planned committee vote last week on his confirmation after some senators remained undecided. U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, an Independent, said on Monday: "The administration should quickly nominate a permanent FAA administrator with the necessary, substantial aviation safety experience and expertise." The FAA has been without a Senate-confirmed administrator for nearly a year. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell said: "Republicans chose to drum up falsehoods rather than give the flying public and the aviation industry the leadership needed now."<br/>