In the wake of a scathing report on the failures of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) commended the Senate Commerce Committee for approving Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger for TSA administrator on Thursday.
“Today, in the Commerce Committee, I was pleased to support the nomination of Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger to serve as TSA Administrator,” Fischer said. “I appreciate his service to our nation in the Coast Guard and expect him to work with Congress to bring much-needed reform to the TSA. After the stunning revelations this week regarding the TSA’s recent risk assessment, it is clear that the agency needs more accountability and new leadership to fulfill its vitally important mission.”
John Pistole, the previous TSA administrator, announced his resignation, effective Dec. 31. Three weeks later, Fischer and five fellow Senators sent a letter to President Obama urging him to act quickly to nominate a qualified, committed replacement for Pistole.
Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD), as well as Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL), also signed the letter.
It was not until late April, that the administration formally announced the nomination of Neffenger to fill the vacancy.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee must approve the nomination within 30 days, before the Senate can provide final approval on Neffenger’s appointment.