The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee voted 15-13 to favorably report the nomination of Brian Bedford to be administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

The nomination was moved for a favorable report by Senator Todd Young and approved by roll call; the committee recorded 15 ayes and 13 noes. The committee’s chair urged support for Bedford, citing his 25 years at Republic Airways and saying, “Brian Bedford is ready to be FAA administrator.” Ranking Member Maria Cantwell said she would not support the nomination, citing unanswered questions during Bedford’s hearing and expressing concern about the FAA’s need for aggressive oversight.

The nomination hearing and markup featured contrasting views about whether executive experience in commercial aviation qualifies a nominee to lead the FAA. Supporters pointed to Bedford’s management of Republic Airways — described in the markup as a regional carrier with “over 200 aircraft in the fleet” and responsible for carrying “2,900,000 passengers” and “45,000 flights a day” — and said his background will help oversee a multibillion-dollar air traffic control modernization. Opponents pointed to recent accidents and to a testy exchange over the 1,500‑hour pilot rule; Ranking Member Cantwell said Mr. Bedford declined to commit to weakening that rule and warned the agency needs “a strong cop on the beat.”

Committee members also referenced recent National Transportation Safety Board activity and high-profile safety incidents during debate. The chair said the FAA is preparing to invest more than $12,000,000,000 in modernizing air traffic control and argued the agency needs an experienced executive to implement upgrades.

On procedure, Senator Young moved that PN556 — the nomination of Brian Bedford — be favorably reported; the motion carried. The roll-call recorded the following votes (aye/no): Thune (aye), Wicker (aye), Fischer (aye), Moran (aye), Sullivan (aye), Blackburn (aye), Young (aye), Budd (aye), Schmidt (aye), Curtis (aye), Moreno (aye), Sheehy (aye), Capito (aye), Lummis (aye), Cruz (aye); Klobuchar (no, by proxy), Schatz (no, by proxy), Markey (no), Peters (no), Baldwin (no, by proxy), Duckworth (no, by proxy), Rosen (no), Luján (no), Hickenlooper (no, by proxy), Fetterman (no, by proxy), Kim (no, by proxy), Blunt Rochester (no, by proxy), Cantwell (no).

The committee also acknowledged family members of victims from a recent collision who attended the markup; the chair and ranking member both addressed their presence. The committee’s favorable report sends the nomination to the full Senate for consideration.

No additional committee instructions or conditions attached to the report were recorded in the markup.