Federal Aviation Administration chief Randy Babbitt offered his resignation to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Tuesday afternoon, one day after LaHood learned of Babbitt?s arrest on drunken driving charges.
Deputy Administrator Michael Huerta has taken Babbitt?s place as acting administrator.
Continue ReadingBabbitt said in a statement that he was ?grateful? to work at FAA during his two and a half years as administrator and said he was confident that the administration will continue on the right path after he steps down.
?Serving as FAA administrator has been an absolute honor and the highlight of my professional career. But I am unwilling to let anything cast a shadow on the outstanding work done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by my colleagues at the FAA,? Babbitt said.
Babbitt was arrested Saturday night in Fairfax City, Va., after an officer spotted him driving on the wrong side of the road, police said. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and took a leave of absence Monday.
LaHood said that under Babbitt?s leadership, the U.S. aviation system became ?safer and stronger.?
?He led the FAA?s efforts to improve pilot training and enhance safety for the traveling public, as well as those that work in aviation. On behalf of the American people, I thank him for his service and his leadership,? LaHood said in a statement.
LaHood said earlier Tuesday after a congressional hearing that he was ?disappointed? in Babbitt ? especially because he didn?t tell anybody about the arrest, leaving the DOT to learn about it from a Monday press release.?
Babbitt has led the FAA during a period of funding uncertainty ? there has not been a long-term FAA funding bill in place for more than four years ? and congressional leaders are working furiously to avoid a 23rd-straight stopgap bill. The climax of the grim situation manifested itself this summer, when the FAA entered a partial shutdown due to gridlock over a stopgap; 4,000 workers were furloughed and construction suspended on airport projects nationwide.
Babbitt, a former pilot and official with the Air Line Pilots Association, also dealt with viral stories of a sleeping air traffic controller, which led him to reform the Air Traffic Organization. He also worked with Huerta to continue implementing the NextGen air traffic control system.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair John Mica (R-Fla.) stuck up for Babbitt on Tuesday, saying before the latest news broke that he shouldn?t resign.
?I think he?s one of the best people I?ve worked with at the administration and I?m disappointed,? Mica said. ?Very sad ? couldn?t come at a more disappointing time considering what we?re involved in.?
Several names have been floated as possible replacements ? including FAA?s second in command, Huerta, who has the support of Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) if were to be nominated to replace his former boss. Hatch knows of him from Huerta?s work with the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
?He?s a fine man. I was aware of his experience and he?s a fine man,? Hatch told POLITICO. ?Yeah, if the president nominates him, I?d be in support of it.?
Huerta could stay on as ?acting administrator? through Obama?s first term, according to an aviation source. Senate Republicans, hoping to take back the Senate next year, could be reluctant to confirm a new administrator for a five-year term.
Another possible replacement is Duane Woerth, a former pilot who is serving as the International Civil Aviation Organization?s ambassador in Montreal. Former Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), a former Transportation & Infrastructure chairman, could be in the mix as well.
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