FAA head faces ethics probe for holding Republic Airways stock post-deadline.

Senator Maria Cantwell has accused FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford of failing to sell his multimillion-dollar stake in Republic Airways, as required by his ethics agreement, more than 150 days after a 90-day deadline. Bedford’s shares, valued between $6 million and $30 million, increased significantly following the airline’s merger with Mesa Air Group. Cantwell called the continued ownership a violation of ethics rules and demanded an explanation. The FAA faces ongoing scrutiny over safety lapses, including a deadly January midair collision, technical failures at Newark Liberty Airport, and flight disruptions during a prolonged government shutdown due to controller shortages. Bedford has pledged to modernize air traffic control, supported by $12.5 billion in congressional funding and a recently selected contractor.