The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs approved the nominations of two Department of Homeland Security leadership positions on Wednesday, and also endorsed the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors’ chairman to become a governor.
The Homeland Security nominees are Sarah Saldana, a U.S. attorney for the District of Texas since 2011, who is nominated to become assistant secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Russell Deyo, a retired executive from Johnson & Johnson, has been nominated to be Under Secretary for Management at Homeland Security.
Mickey Barnett has been nominated to be a governor on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors. He currently serves as its chairman of the board.
All three nominations now move to the Senate floor for a vote. Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.) called on colleagues to approve the nominations, and for the Saldana appointment to be approved quickly.
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been without a presidentially appointed leader for 16 months — that is far too long, particularly considering the challenges we face along our borders,” Carper said. “Sarah Saldana will provide the leadership our country needs in this critically important and particularly challenging position.”
Carper added that Deyo’s “perspective from the private sector will be an important asset to (Homeland Security) Secretary (Jeh) Johnson as he works to unify the department and continue its critical mission.”
In Barnett’s case, Carper said that if he is confirmed, he would “continue to work diligently with the other members of the board as they work toward a brighter future for the Postal Service.”