AUVSI Urges Senate Confirmation of Key Transportation Nominees

November 5, 2025

Today, November 5, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is holding a hearing to consider the nominations of Ryan McCormack as Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Daniel J. Edwards as Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Aviation and International Affairs at DOT, and Trent Morse as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) urges the Senate to confirm all three nominees without delay.  

“AUVSI is confident that Ryan McCormack, Daniel J. Edwards, and Trent Morse will provide the leadership, expertise, and commitment necessary to modernize America’s transportation system,” said Michael Robbins, President & CEO of AUVSI. “Their collective experience will help ensure the nation’s transportation policies keep pace with emerging uncrewed and advanced mobility technologies that are enhancing safety and efficiency in the national airspace and across our critical transportation infrastructure.” 

Mr. McCormack brings substantial experience in both transportation policy and legislative affairs to the role of Under Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Currently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff at DOT, Ryan was in the room with Michael Robbins when he met with DOT Secretary Duffy and FAA Administrator Bedford earlier this year. He has also previously served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Duffy when he served in the U.S. House, giving him deep insight into how federal transportation policy is developed, coordinated, and executed. AUVSI looks forward to working with him to advance the safe integration of uncrewed systems, enable responsible innovation, ensure regulatory clarity, and foster public trust in autonomous technologies.  

Mr. Edwards brings more than two decades of distinguished leadership and experience in aviation and aerospace to his nomination as Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs. Currently serving as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Edwards previously spent over 23 years in the U.S. Air Force as a KC-10 pilot and airfield civil engineer and has accumulated more than 4,000 flight hours as a commercial pilot. Edwards’ active engagement with the uncrewed and advanced air mobility (AAM) community—including as a keynote speaker at AUVSI’s Drone and AAM Policy Symposium earlier this year—demonstrates his commitment to advancing innovation, safety, and U.S. leadership in global aviation. 

Strong leadership at MWAA is as important as ever, and AUVSI is working closely with the FAA and key Congressional committees on air traffic control system modernization efforts to modernize and enhance safety in our skies. We look forward to working with Board Member Morse and the rest of MWAA to enhance aviation safety and modernization. 

AUVSI believes these confirmations will strengthen the U.S. transportation system and advance the broader goals of safety, innovation, competitiveness, and infrastructure modernization that serve the entire nation, and we urge the U.S. Senate to confirm all three well-qualified nominees.