Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On His Opposition To Bryan Bedford As Administrator Of The FAA Ahead Of His Confirmation Vote

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor on his opposition to confirming Bryan Bedford as the Administrator of the FAA, due to his callous disregard for safety protocols like the 1,500-hour rule. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Today, the Senate will vote on the confirmation of Donald Trump’s deeply flawed nominee to lead the FAA, Bryan Bedford.

 I will vote no on Mr. Bedford because he has failed to show he’ll put the safety of airline passengers above protecting airlines’ profits.

He is the wrong choice for anyone worried about aviation safety, particularly at a time like this.

Throughout his career as an airline executive, and during his confirmation hearing, Mr. Bedford has shown a callous disregard for safety protocols like the 1,500-hour rule.

I worked to establish this rule with the families of Flight 3407, the tragic commercial airline crash that occurred in Western New York, on a cold wintery night in 2009. Today, the 1,500-hour rule, because of the hard work of those Buffalo families, is the gold standard for pilot training.

They pounded the hallways here, talking to members, Democrat and Republican, which got the bill passed because of their good work.

Confirming Mr. Bedford would be an insult to the families of Flight 3407 and the memory of their loved ones. It would betray everything these families have sacrificed to make sure others don’t suffer the same tragedy they did fifteen years ago. 

The Senate should not confirm someone who will prioritize profits over passenger safety, like Mr. Bedford.

I vote no on his nomination.

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