US Senate panel looks to fast-track aviation nominee

The US Senate Commerce Committee said on Wednesday it plans to hold an Oct. 18 vote on President Joe Biden’s nominee to head the FAA after the agency has been without a permanent leader for 18 months. Nominee Michael Whitaker, a former deputy FAA administrator, won support from the committee’s top Republican Ted Cruz after his Oct. 4 confirmation hearing in which Whitaker said the agency must address a persistent air traffic controller shortage. The committee also plans to vote on the nominations of three nominees for the Federal Trade Commission. <br/>