Senator Cantwell Opposes Steven Bradbury Nomination for DOT Deputy Secretary Over Safety Concerns

Opposition to Steven Bradbury's Nomination

• ⚠️ Senator Maria Cantwell is speaking in opposition to the nomination of Steven Bradbury for Deputy Secretary of Transportation, citing concerns about his commitment to safety over industry interests.
• 💡 Cantwell emphasizes that transportation safety should be measured in lives protected, not dollars saved, highlighting recent tragedies.

Aviation Safety Lapses

• ✈️ Concerns are raised about military aircraft operating without Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a technology that could have prevented a fatal collision at DCA Airport.
• 📉 Bradbury is accused of allowing exemptions for military aircraft to operate without this key safety technology during his previous tenure at the DOT.
• 📉 Under Bradbury's watch as General Counsel, the vehicle safety recall investigation rate reached an all-time low, and road fatalities increased.
• 🚂 The two-person crew rule for trains, recommended after a deadly derailment, was withdrawn, and mainline derailment rates increased during his tenure.

Boeing 737 MAX and Safety Management Systems

• ✈️ A critical point of contention is Bradbury's role during the rulemaking on Safety Management Systems (SMS) for aviation manufacturers like Boeing.
• ⚠️ A proposed rule for mandatory SMS was not implemented, despite two 737 MAX crashes resulting in 346 deaths, with Bradbury accused of orchestrating rollbacks and delaying safety requirements.
• 🔍 Bradbury is criticized for allegedly withholding information from a congressional investigation into the 737 MAX crashes, hindering oversight efforts.

Conflicts of Interest with Elon Musk and SpaceX

• 🚀 Cantwell questions Bradbury's stance on potential conflicts of interest involving Elon Musk, SpaceX, and the FAA.
• 🛰️ Bradbury is criticized for not seeing potential conflicts when SpaceX employees were hired by the FAA and granted waivers, despite having direct financial interests.
• ❓ Concerns are raised about SpaceX's potential influence on FAA contracts, including a suggestion to replace a $2 billion Verizon contract with Starlink terminals.
• 💥 The malfunction of SpaceX's Starship rocket and subsequent FAA investigation are highlighted as another clear conflict of interest, especially given Musk's past criticism of FAA fines and administrators.

Leadership and Safety Culture

• 🚫 Cantwell argues that Bradbury sees bureaucratic hurdles where others see safety safeguards and prioritizes a "light touch" approach over robust safety measures.
• 💔 The consequences of appointing the wrong person to lead the DOT are measured in human lives lost, not dollars saved, as evidenced by the 737 MAX tragedies.
• 🗳️ Cantwell urges colleagues to vote against Bradbury's nomination, stating he has not shown the leadership, fidelity to law, or courage needed to prioritize safety.