.tedcruz has a reputation as an obstructionist, but in the Phil Washington confirmation case, Cruz surprised several people, apparently including himself, by offering the Biden administration constructive criticism.
President Joe Biden’s nominee Phillip “Phil” Washington issued a statement on March 27 explaining why he had asked the president to withdraw his nomination to lead the Federal Aviation Administration a few days prior.“I no longer saw a respectful, civil, and viable path forward to Senate confirmation,” the CEO of Denver International Airport said.
Washington had been the head of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority from 2015 to 2021. It was alleged that he issued a no-bid contract in the amount of $494,000 to a nonprofit group headed by one of Los Angeles County supervisor and Metro board member Sheila Kuehl’s friends to shore up her support.
When Washington complained of a “procedural obstruction with regard to my military career,” he was referring to Cruz’s statement in opposition to his nomination. In his prepared remarks, Cruz said: “Mr. Washington, as a retired member of the military, needs a waiver from the House and Senate to be eligible to serve, since federal law requires that the FAA administrator be a ‘civilian.
But in the Washington confirmation case, Cruz surprised several people, apparently including himself, by offering the Biden administration constructive criticism. “We’re at the hearing with Billy Nolen, and I actually turned back to my staff, and I said, ‘Hey, what do you think about Nolen?’ They’re like, ‘He’s pretty capable.’ And I said, ‘Would it be crazy for me to suggest, right now, that they should withdraw Washington and nominate Nolan?’ And my guys are like, ‘No, that’s fine.’ And so it was an audible," Cruz said on his Verdict podcast.
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