Pistole confirmed to head TSA

WASHINGTON—The AP and other outlets are reporting that the Senate today has unanimously approved President Obama’s third nominee, John Pistole, to head the Transportation Security Administration. First nominated May 17, Pistole, unlike Erroll Southers and Robert Harding before him, was run quickly through the confirmation process with little to no fanfare.

Pistole is a long-time FBI employee, with a background heavy in counterterrorism. Pistole’s 27-year career at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, currently second-in-command as deputy director, was cited as being the right type of leadership and experience to lead the embattled agency during his confirmation hearings.

 “I firmly believe you have what it takes to impact this agency,” said Sen. John (Jay) Rockefeller, committee chairman, in his opening remarks. “I’m confident you are qualified and ready to lead this agency effectively and yesterday.”

Pistole’s leadership role in the counterterrorism division of the FBI, a position he has held since 2001, will largely impact his strategy of heading the TSA, he said during the hearings: “My top priority, if confirmed, is to ensure that the men and women of TSA see it as a threat-based, intelligence-driven agency with a national security focus. Answering the question of: How do we manage risk?”

Security Director News continues to report on this story.