Huerta confirmed to helm FAA
Michael Huerta, the Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration has been confirmed as Administrator by the U.S. Senate.
Huerta stepped in as Acting Administrator in December 2011, after the arrest for drunken driving (charges were later dismissed) and subsequent resignation of then-Administrator, Randy Babbitt.
Huerta, who was nominated to the five-year position by President Barack Obama last year, initially faced opposition in the Senate in July prior to the confirmation. Senator Jim DeMint, R-S.C. was one of Huerta’s strongest opponents, questioning his nomination primarily on account of his views on labor relations. That opposition faded after DeMint’s resignation from the Senate for the Heritage Foundation upon President Obama’s re-election.
Airlines for America (A4A) was one of the many organizations voicing approval. The trade organization issued a public statement on January 1, applauding the confirmation, citing Huerta’s "commitment to safety and improved efficiency of our nation’s airspace and a clear grasp of the imperatives of NextGen" as key reasons why he is "the right choice to continue leading the FAA."
NextGen is the aviation industry’s upgrade to satellite-based navigation and tracking systems. Michael Huerta is widely seen as the FAA’s point-man on the project.
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