July 9, 2025
The Senate today voted to confirm Bryan Bedford to be the next Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. The vote was 53 to 43. Bedford takes the helm at the FAA at a time when agency is focused on air traffic modernization, boosting controller staffing, and enhancing aviation safety.
AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli praised Bedford by saying that he “will serve as a needed change agent to usher-in a long overdue period of transformation in our nation’s airspace and aviation infrastructure.”
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) described Bedford as a pilot and seasoned manager who is well equipped to “modernize the FAA to meet today’s standards.” However, Committee Democrats have criticized Bedford for his efforts to change the 1,500-hour pilot training rule during his tenure as CEO of Republic Airways.
During his nomination hearing Bedford tried to downplay the controversial topic by telling lawmakers that his top priorities are to modernize the air traffic control system and address controller staffing challenges. But he refused to say whether he would – or would not – make changes to the pilot training rule.