Senator urges FAA to reject White House pressure to approve Trump arch

WASHINGTON, June 18 (Reuters) - The top Democrat on the Senate aviation ‌subcommittee urged the Federal Aviation ‌Administration to reject White House pressure to ​approve President Donald Trump's proposed 259-foot (79-meter) tall Independence Arch, saying it could pose risks to commercial flights.

"The FAA ‌must commit ⁠to upholding the highest safety standards and be firm in ⁠rejecting any improper or irresponsible pressure from President Trump to prioritize ​the construction ​of his ​gaudy, vanity arch ‌over the safety of the American people," Senator Tammy Duckworth wrote FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford in a letter Thursday.

The FAA said last week the ‌arch would need ​red safety lights but ​said it ​does not pose any ‌safety impacts in its ​preliminary review. ​The proposed arch would be 3,000 feet from Reagan National and ​within ‌the airport's main approach and departure ​corridor.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing ​by Philippa Fletcher)