Jim DeMint Stands by Hold on TSA Nominee Erroll Southers
The Republican senator from South Carolina has a placed a hold on the nomination of Erroll Southers to head the TSA, which prevents quick action on the nomination. In the wake of questions about the nation's security apparatus stemming from an alleged Christmas Day terrorism attempt, DeMint's hold on the nomination has come into focus since the TSA remains without a permanent leader.
DeMint said this morning on NBC's "Today Show" this morning that the Congress should take the time to debate Southers' nomination before confirming him.
"What I've asked for is some debate and a recorded vote," he said.
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The senator's opposition has to do with whether Southers would allow TSA employees to have collective bargaining, which DeMint opposes.
"He will not give me a straight answer," DeMint said. "This is all about politics and not security. What I want is a few hours of debate on Mr. Southers to help focus the nation back on security and get this politics, particularly union politics, out of security apparatus."
DeMint outlined his argument for the hold in an op-ed in the Greenville News: "Today, screeners are permitted to choose to join a union, but collective bargaining would mean that union bosses would represent every TSA screener and security officials would be forced to negotiate with union bosses before making critical and timely security decisions."
More coverage from CBSNews.com:
Christmas Day Attack a Wake-Up Call for Obama
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TSA Shuts Down Terminal After Breach
Schumer: Airlines Must be Firm on Security
Studying Arabic a Cover for Abdulmutallab?
U.S. Born Cleric Key Player in Bomb Plot?
Official: We Knew Al Qaeda Planned "Christmas Surprise"
