President Joe Biden's nominee to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) might not want to get his hopes up too high, at least not if Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) has anything to say about it.

During a recent Senate hearing, Cruz blasted Phil Washington, Biden's nominee, for sorely lacking the required experience to lead the already struggling federal agency.

"The FAA needs a Senate confirmed leader with decades of experience in aviation. The flying public needs someone who will make sure that the flying public remains safe. Phil Washington is woefully unqualified," Cruz tweeted.

The FAA needs a Senate confirmed leader with decades of experience in aviation.

The flying public needs someone who will make sure that the flying public remains safe.

Phil Washington is woefully unqualified. pic.twitter.com/Nvjn0DclNO

— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) March 1, 2023

"The nominee before us, Phil Washington, had a long and honorable career in the military. But he does not have any experience in aviation safety," Cruz said. "This, quite simply, is a position he is not qualified for."

The Republican Texas senator held nothing back as he excoriated Washington.

Fox Business noted:

“Washington is currently the CEO of Denver International Airport (DIA). He was first nominated by Biden last year, but he failed to advance amid concerns from Republicans about his experience. His confirmation has been further stalled by allegations of discriminatory and retaliatory practices by Washington at DIA and his involvement with a corruption investigation at LA Metro."

The report added:

Washington was CEO at LA Metro, which is being investigated after it awarded a pricey contract for a sexual harassment hotline – the hotline was found to cost over $8,000 per call it received – that was awarded to a charity run by a close friend of an LA Metro board member. Washington has denied wrongdoing, but Cruz has called on the Senate to proceed slowly with his nomination in light of these allegations and other whistleblower claims of misconduct.

Sen. Ted Budd joined Cruz in slamming Washington's apparently extreme lack of proper experience in the field.

"I asked Biden's nominee for FAA Administrator 7 basic questions about aviation policy. He went 0 for 7. We can't have an FAA Administrator who needs on the job training," Budd tweeted.

I asked Biden's nominee for FAA Administrator 7 basic questions about aviation policy.

He went 0 for 7.

We can't have an FAA Administrator who needs on the job training. @SenateCommerce pic.twitter.com/nzGiEUxr8w

— Senator Ted Budd (@SenTedBuddNC) March 1, 2023

Senate Republicans have made confirmations difficult for the Biden administration, and rightfully so.

The Biden administration clearly places top priority on favor trading and identity politics over merit and experience.

It's truly scary to realize the clowns that make up Biden's Cabinet and top positions. Hopefully, Republicans will be able to mount enough pressure to send Washington packing.