Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) “will schedule a formal Senate roll call vote on the nomination of Errol Southers to be administrator of the Transportation Security Administration as soon as Congress return from break,” Talking Points Memo reports.
Reid spokesman Jim Manley told TPMDC that Reid will file a cloture motion as soon as the Senate reconvenes the week of Jan. 19. He said it’s a necessary step to overcome Sen. Jim DeMint’s hold on the nomination.
"In light of recent incidents TSA deserves to have its leadership in place," Manley said. "It is long past time for Senator DeMint to stop trying to score cheap political points."
Some additional details:
Democrats are furious that DeMint (R-SC) blocked the confirmation over a question of whether Southers would allow collective bargaining for TSA screeners. They believe that if Democrats had delayed a national security nominee under a Republican president, their party would be excoriated.
Democrats also compared the move to the Republicans blocking funding for troops for political purposes.
As we reported earlier, DeMint blamed Reid for not allowing lawmakers to debate the nomination before adjourning.
(credit image – reuters)
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