NTSB Nominee Advances to Senate Vote After Trump Fired Democrat

Feb. 3, 2026, 3:35 PM UTC

President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve on the nation’s top body investigating plane crashes and other transportation accidents moved a step closer to Senate confirmation Tuesday after getting the blessing of Republicans on a key panel.

The Senate Commerce Committee on a party-line vote approved the nomination of John Deleeuw to serve on the National Transportation Safety Board for a five-year term. The board currently has four members.

Advancing the nomination is the latest instance of Congressional Republicans effectively backing Trump’s efforts to oust Democrats from traditionally bipartisan independent agencies by considering replacements. The panel on Tuesday also approved nominees ...

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