The Senate has confirmed President Obama’s nominee to head the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The agency has been without a settled leader since former Secretary Janet Napolitano left this summer to lead the University of California System. Secretary Jeh Johnson, approved on a 78-16 vote, will lead one of the federal governments largest and most complex agencies, without a confirmed Deputy.
More than a third of the agency’s other top leadership positions are vacant. Secretary Johnson, who previously served as General Counsel at the Pentagon, does come with lengthy experience in addressing terrorist threats. Given the difficult personnel issues Johnson will face, President Obama cited his skills in implementing the repeal of the former “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy at the Defense Department.
The new Secretary is not without his critics. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) disputed the President’s claim that Johnson has a strong background in Homeland Security. "I'm not saying he's not a good man, but he's not a good choice for this," the Senator said. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) said that Johnson’s failure to answer interrogatories on immigration policy were troubling.
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