WASHINGTON, June 25 (Reuters) - The Senate Commerce

Committee on Wednesday voted 15 to 13 to approve the nomination

Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford to head the Federal Aviation

Administration.

All Republicans voted in favor, while Democrats voted against

after some cited Bedford's refusal to commit to uphold the

1,500-hour training rule for co-pilots.

The Trump administration wants at least $20 billion to

completely overhaul the FAA's air traffic control system after a

mid-air collision on January 29 between a U.S. Army helicopter

and an American Airlines ( AAL ) jet near Washington Reagan

National Airport. All 67 people aboard the aircraft died.