The Senate has approved U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger as the new administrator of the Transportation Security Administration following a vote of 81-1, The Hill reported Monday.
Jordain Carney writes that Neffenger’s confirmation comes amid reports that TSA agents were unable to locate fake bombs placed at the busiest airports across the U.S. as part of internal tests.
“[The vote provides] long-overdue permanent leadership to the agency in urgent need of reform and culture change,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said, according to the report.
Bart Jansen of USA Today reports that McConnell also highlighted Neffenger’s responsibility in addressing concerns over the reports that have emerged.
“The American people will be counting on Mr. Neffenger to validate the trust their elected representatives place in him tonight by pursuing every necessary reform in the wake of such troubling findings,” the senator said.
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved Neffenger for the TSA administrator role earlier this month.
Neffenger will succeed John Pistole, who retired from public service late last year to join academia.
