The White House nominee to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Erroll Southers yesterday withdrew himself from consideration for the post due to delays in his nomination process amid concerns among Republicans who said he would give federal screeners collective bargaining rights and that he abused his position as an FBI official when he searched for background information on his ex-wife’s boyfriend.
In the wake of the failed Christmas Day airliner bombing congressional Democrats have criticized the Republican’s hold on Southers’ nomination, saying it is leaving the agency without leadership at a crucial time. But Senate Republicans held firm.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), ranking member on Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said yesterday that the president needs to nominate someone to lead TSA who is beyond “reproach.”