Erroll Southers, President Obama’s nominee to head the Transportation Security Administration, removed his name from consideration for the post today. It was believed that Senator Harry Reid (D – NV) would force a vote on Southers’ s nomination, leading to a likely confirmation. After facing political opposition from Senator Jim DeMint (R – SC) and scrutiny for initial failure to disclose an inappropriate background check on his ex-wife’s boyfriend in the 1980s, Southers’s nomination was stalled.
With his resignation, Southers released a statement indicating that “it is apparent that this path has been obstructed by political ideology…it is clear that my nomination has become a lightning rod for those who have chosen to push a political agenda at the risk of the safety and security of the American people.” Senator Joseph Lieberman (I – CT) expressed disappointment, indicating in a statement that he felt Southers was “uniquely qualified.” Senator Susan Collins (R – ME) urged the White House to act quickly to put forward a new nominee.
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