[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 213 (Thursday, December 9, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S9088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 CONFIRMATION OF C.B. SULLENBERGER III

  Mr. LEE. Mr. President, On December 2, 2021, the Senate confirmed 
C.B. Sullenberger III to be Representative of the United States to the 
International Civil Aviation Union--ICAO--with the rank of Ambassador. 
After receiving responses to a series of written questions to the 
nominee, I remain concerned about this nominee's approach to the 
Ambassador position.
  In response to questions on balancing regulation with the need for an 
open environment for innovation, Mr. Sullenberger emphasized a position 
that favored more regulation at the expense of innovation, as well as 
deference to standards established internationally rather than those 
generated in the U.S. I do not disagree with the need for essential 
safety standards to protect the flying public; however, I believe Mr. 
Sullenberger's views cross a threshold in which the automatic 
preference for government regulation, particularly international 
government regulation, risks stunting the growth of aviation startups 
in emerging technology, entrench the largest players, and result in the 
exclusion of State and local jurisdictions from conversations in 
emerging areas of unmanned flight below the airspace of manned 
aviation.
  Finally, based on Mr. Sullenberger's responses, I am not convinced 
that he would properly advocate that the United States lead at ICAO in 
setting standards that would swiftly bring civil supersonic air travel 
to fruition. For these reasons, I did not offer my consent to confirm 
Mr. Sullenberger unanimously and instead requested a voice vote.

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