Since the failed terrorist attack on Christmas Day, many in the aviation industry, as well as the traveling public, have asked “when will we have a TSA Administrator?” The question sounds simple, but when it comes to the world of politics simple questions often prove to be rather complicated.
Currently, the nomination of Erroll Southers is being delayed by a group of Senators led by Senate Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). DeMint has publicly expressed his concerns over Southers’s response to questions over whether or not he would allow TSA screeners to unionize and collectively bargain with TSA. More recently, DeMint cited concerns over the FBI’s censure of Southers while he was an FBI agent over 20 years ago.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has announced plans to bring the nomination of Southers to the Senate floor for debate as soon as the Senate returns to work on Jan. 20. The Majority Leader will be forced to file cloture on the nomination, which will mean the Senate will have to have 60 votes in order to confirm Southers as the new TSA Administrator. Because of these additional procedural hurdles – which could mean two more weeks before a final vote – we will be forced to continue to wait.
An article in today’s Washington Post provides further information on this politically charged appointment.
By Channon Hanna
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