The airline industry has been in a state of disarray since President Joe Biden took office, and it's not difficult to see why.
According to The Washington Times, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will remain without a Senate-confirmed leader for the time being, as Billy Nolen, the acting administrator, has resigned his post.
The resignation puts extreme pressure on Biden's White House to fill the role.
That's especially true given that its most recent nominee, Denver International Airport CEO Phillip Washington, was forced to withdraw his nomination last month after he was shot down by Senate Republicans, and failed to win public support from the other side of the aisle, too.
Republicans argued at the time that Washington lacked the practical experience to run the agency, which is one of the most critical agencies in U.S. government, given its control over the airline industry and more.
FAA chief Billy Nolen to step down this summer https://t.co/kCAxzxfyZf
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) April 22, 2023
Notably, Nolen has support from both sides of the aisle, and many wondered why he wasn't the obvious nominee for the job. Even Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz wished him well upon the news of his resignation.
"I want to thank Billy Nolen for his leadership at the FAA & his steadfast dedication to aviation safety. I wish him well in his future endeavors, & I hope @POTUS acts swiftly to appoint a nominee who will bring the same level of experience & commitment to service as Mr. Nolen," Cruz tweeted.
I want to thank Billy Nolen for his leadership at the FAA & his steadfast dedication to aviation safety.
I wish him well in his future endeavors, & I hope @POTUS acts swiftly to appoint a nominee who will bring the same level of experience & commitment to service as Mr. Nolen.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) April 22, 2023
For his part, Nolen described his role as acting administrator as a "dream job."
"But now it is time for a new captain to guide the FAA,” Nolen said in a memo to his staff. "I told (Transportation Secretary Pete) Buttigieg and notified the White House that I will depart as a new nominee is named this summer."
The Times noted:
Some Republican senators said Nolen - a former airline pilot who briefly ran the FAA’s safety office - would have been a better choice, but there was no indication that he was under consideration.
The Biden administration continues to strike out on filling key posts, given its constant selection of radical leftists.
Until it decides to pick people based on merit and not skin color, sexual preference, or political favoring, the Biden administration will continue to fail.