Senators press FAA chief on failure to meet divestiture deadline for Republic Airways holdings
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Summary
Multiple senators challenged FAA Administrator Brian Bedford on whether he complied with an ethics agreement to divest Republic Airways shares, pressing him on extension requests, the timing of the Republic-Mesa merger, and whether he would forfeit any profit.
Multiple senators used the Commerce Subcommittee hearing to press FAA Administrator Brian Bedford about his compliance with an ethics agreement that required divestiture of Republic Airways holdings.
Senators Cantwell, Markey and Duckworth raised the issue directly during questioning. Senator Markey noted Bedford's confirmation hearing promise to "follow the ethics agreement that I've signed with the Office of Government Ethics" and asked whether he had divested Republic holdings within the required 90 days. Bedford said he sought an extension from career ethics officers because a Republic-Mesa merger delayed marketability of shares and that he followed their advice to apply for an extension. He said the merger closed, certificates were canceled, and he is "waiting for the new shares to be reissued, at which point they will be divested as soon as reasonably practicable."
Senators disputed Bedford's account. Markey and Cantwell said the Office of Government Ethics denied an extension and argued that Bedford still had opportunities to divest earlier. Duckworth pressed whether, if the shares appreciated after his deadline, Bedford would forfeit any profit; Bedford said his broker is instructed to sell reissued shares "as soon as he reasonably can" and he could not answer hypotheticals about profits.
Why it matters: As FAA Administrator, Bedford has oversight authority over the aviation industry. Senators said the outstanding divestiture raises potential conflicts and undermines public trust. Bedford maintained he followed the advice provided by career ethics officers and that he has observed recusal commitments.
The hearing produced no immediate enforcement action. Several senators said they expect to revisit the topic in future oversight activity and demanded a concrete date when Bedford will report divestiture completion.