New Jersey's two U.S. senators yesterday placed a hold on the nomination of Robert Sturgell to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, preventing the United States Senate from voting on his nomination.
Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez, both Democrats, tabled the process due to their concerns about New Jersey air traffic and safety conditions, including the redesign of airspace over Newark Liberty International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport. The redesign will increase noise levels for many New Jersey residents, they said.
Sturgell, a former pilot for United Airlines and FAA deputy administrator, became acting administrator following former administrator Marion Blakey's departure in September. President George W. Bush in October nominated Sturgell to succeed Blakey as administrator
(BTN, Nov. 19, 2007).
"The FAA needs a leader with a new perspective and new ideas to improve flight safety and performance. It's time for President Bush to nominate an administrator who solves transportation problems, rather than creating more of them," Lautenberg said in a statement.
Menendez in the same statement said: "My hope is that by holding up this nomination, it will either spark the FAA to get moving on these issues or it will result in a new nominee who grasps the sense of urgency."
The hold will remain in place indefinitely until the senators decide to reverse their decision or the session of Congress ends.
The National Business Travel Association supports Sturgell's nomination. "We think he's eminently qualified. He's been at the job for several months and we think he has the skills to do the job," said Stewart Verdery, NBTA government relations consultant and founder and partner of Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm Monument Policy Group.
"We're in a real critical period right now for the air traffic system. We really need stability at the agency," he said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation hopes to bring the hold to a close soon. "We hope they won't let a small thing like a slight change in noise levels for a small number of residents affect a confirmation that everyone would agree needs to be made swiftly to ensure the safety and continued efficiency of our aviation system," said DOT spokesman Brian Turmail.