WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement ahead of the first Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee meeting to consider Phil Washington’s nomination to be Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator.

“President Biden has chosen to double down on an unqualified nominee to lead the FAA. Phil Washington has little aviation experience and no aviation safety experience, and he is facing multiple allegations of corruption for his prior public service. He is the wrong choice to lead the FAA and restore America’s confidence in this struggling agency. I hope other members of the Commerce Committee will join me in halting Phil Washington’s nomination,” Wicker said.

Wicker, the former ranking member of the Commerce Committee, has been a vocal critic of Washington’s nomination, which has been clouded by allegations of corruption and concerns over his lack of aviation experience.

Wicker issued a statement in September when Washington was named as the subject of a search warrant for several Los Angeles County locations as a result of an investigation into his service as CEO of LA Metro.

Wicker also criticized President Biden for selecting Washington to lead the FAA, citing his lack of safety or aviation experience.