Wed, Jan 20, 2010
Says Nomination Was Obstructed By Politics
Eroll Southers, President Obama's
nominee to lead TSA, has withdrawn his name from consideration,
saying the nomination has been "obstructed by
political ideology."
Southers had been at the center of a controversy which had
Republicans accusing him of misleading congress. In an affidavit,
Southers had told the Senate Homeland Security committee
he had asked a co-worker's husband, who worked for the San
Diego police department, to run a background check on his ex-wife's
boyfriend. But following his approval by the committee, he admitted
he had twice personally conducted database searches and given
information to that police department employee, according to the
Washington Post.
In a statement released by the White House, Southers explained
his reasoning for stepping aside. "I was extremely excited about
the opportunity to lead the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) and fulfill Secretary [Janet] Napolitano's objective to
develop it into the best organization of its kind in the world,"
the statement says. "However, it is apparent that this path has
been obstructed by political ideology. I have decided, after deep
reflection and in consultation with my family and friends to
respectfully withdraw my name from consideration for confirmation
as the assistant secretary for the TSA."
Southers had also been involved in
a public skirmish with Republican Senator James DeMint (SC) over
the unionization of TSA employees. "The safety and security of the
American people are far too important to be controlled by union
bosses," DeMint said last fall. "It’s time for Mr. Southers
to give an unequivocal answer: Will he give union bosses control
over the safety of Americans at our airports, yes or no?"
DeMint said allowing TSA to organize would be a "disaster" for
homeland security. The Federal Times blog reports that Colleen
Kelly, President of the National Treasury Employees Union, released
a statement expressing disappointment over Southers' withdrawal,
saying "TSA has a number of issues that continue to contribute to
its high attrition rate and low workforce morale. Many of these
issues, such as insufficient training, low pay, inconsistencies in
workplace policies and injury rates, will only be successfully
addressed with a permanent administrator. Unless and until such
leadership is in position, TSA will continue to fall far short of
its clear goal of becoming a world-class law enforcement
agency."
Southers withdrawal comes within a day of Republicans winning a
special Senate election in Massachusetts, which ended the
Democrat's filibuster-proof majority in that body.
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