Said Cantwell: “We’re here right now because we need leadership at DOT that recognizes that safety is the top priority. There is no issue about saving dollars if you’re not saving lives, and I think that what’s been wrong at FAA and DOT overall, is that we’ve had too much of a light touch on these very important issues.”
Bradbury fielded multiple questions about aviation safety amid multiple recent high-profile plane crashes. In January, 67 people died after a crash outside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who chairs the committee, called the events a “harrowing month for air travel.” Bradbury said he backs upgrading FAA technical systems and expanding air traffic controller training as strategies for bolstering aviation safety.
“We still have the safest air system in the world, but we can’t fall down on the job,” Bradbury said. “And these recent disasters are just a horrible reminder that we need to be constantly vigilant, because we have zero tolerance for commercial air disasters.”
Bradbury said in response to questioning from Baldwin that he didn’t support privatizing air traffic control, eliminating or defunding essential air service, or eliminating federal discretionary grants at DOT.
Cruz spoke in support of Bradbury, calling him “exceptionally well qualified for the position” with legal and policy credentials “of the highest caliber.”
Cruz said he received more than 20 letters of support for Bradbury from transportation groups.
Since leaving government service four years ago, Bradbury, a lawyer, said he’s “continued to write and speak on issues of public policy relevant to the regulatory authorities and DOT.”
Bradbury also served in the Department of Justice under former president George W. Bush.
No date has been set for the committee to vote on whether to advance Bradbury’s nomination to the full Senate.
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Original article published by Safety+Health an NSC publication