President Trump’s nominee for FAA Administrator set to face Senate grilling 

President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been invited to attend a nomination hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.  

Bryan Bedford, who is the CEO of Republic Airways, will appear before the committee on June 11, 2025, where it is expected he will face tough questions about his suitability to become the FAA Administrator. 

Speaking on June 4, 2025, the committee chair, Senator Ted Cruz, said that the next FAA head “will need to provide strong and steady leadership” to see through modernization plans for air travel in the US.  

Senator Cruz said that the next leader of the FAA will also need to “identify and implement what the future of the FAA and America’s airspace should be – while accommodating new and current users”. 

“I look forward to thoroughly evaluating Bryan Bedford to serve as FAA administrator, focusing on his qualifications, and the experience that will be needed to boldly modernize America’s antiquated aviation system,” added Senator Cruz. 

Met with Bryan Bedford, President Trump’s FAA Administrator nominee, to discuss strengthening the aviation industry and the importance of continuing Lincoln Airport’s runway refurbishment. This project is vital for the city, the Nebraska National Guard, and DOD operations. pic.twitter.com/W1c8iVQV24— Senator Deb Fischer (@SenatorFischer) June 4, 2025 On June 5, 2025, Airlines for America (A4A) said: “President Trump made a superb choice in nominating Bryan Bedford to be FAA Administrator […] We urge the Senate Commerce Committee to advance Mr. Bedford’s nomination and the entire Senate to expeditiously confirm him to be our nation’s next FAA Administrator. Our country deserves and needs to have a solid leader in this critical position as soon as possible.”

The next FAA Administrator will be joining the agency at an extremely challenging time in US aviation. 

The US has recently experienced a spate of air traffic control outages, and the fallout from a fatal collision between a Blackhawk helicopter and PSA Airlines jet in Washington is still ongoing. 

Issues surrounding safety and quality at Boeing have also been a major focus for the FAA, particularly since a plug door separated from a 737-9 shortly after takeoff on January 5, 2024.  

President Trump confirmed Bryan Bedford as his choice for FAA Administrator in March 2025.  

Bedford has more than 30 years of experience in the airline industry, having joined Republic Airways in July 1999. Additionally, he is a former president and CEO of both Mesaba Airlines and Business Express Airlines.    

Chris Rocheleau is currently the Acting Administrator for the FAA. Before taking on the role in January 2025, Rocheleau was the National Business Aviation Association’ CCO. 

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