CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
– EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Dec. 1, 2008 – 4:11 p.m.
Napolitano Confirmation Expected to Proceed ‘Promptly’
By Matthew M. Johnson, CQ Staff
Senators are expected to proceed “promptly” through the process of confirming Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as Homeland Security secretary, aides said Monday.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Reform Committee Chairman Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut applauded President-elect Barack Obama ’s choice.
“She has been an able governor, demonstrating strong leadership and management skills [and] she knows firsthand both the border security vulnerabilities and the economic opportunities presented by our long border with Mexico. I respectfully look forward to hearing the governor’s perspective on the anti-terrorism responsibilities of the department.”
The committee’s ranking Republican, Susan Collins of Maine, echoed Lieberman’s sentiment.
“As a governor of a border state, Janet Napolitano understands the importance of developing policies that will not impede legitimate travel and trade but will keep our enemies out. I look forward to working with Senator Lieberman to consider this nomination carefully and expeditiously,” Collins said.
In announcing his choice, Obama noted that Napolitano “offers the experience and executive skills needed as the next secretary of homeland security.”
Napolitano, 51, was re-elected to a second four-year term as Arizona governor in 2006. She earlier had served as her state’s attorney general, winning election to that job in 1998, and as its U.S. attorney.
In particular, her experience as governor of a state on the southern border gives her the credentials to lead a large department by demanding competence and accountability, work with state and local authorities, and both prevent terrorist attacks and respond to both man-made and natural disasters, Obama said.
“She understands as well as anyone the danger of an unsecure border,” he said.
Napolitano said the entire national security team will work to ensure the “domestic response to all hazards is fast, sound and levelheaded.”
The choice of Napolitano suggests an Obama administration would emphasize domestic security, especially law enforcement related to U.S. borders and immigration.
As governor of Arizona, Napolitano was among the first to call for using the National Guard to police illegal immigration across U.S. borders.
Unlike the Bush administration and the last three sessions of Congress, she has not supported large-scale border fencing projects. Arizona has pioneered the use of another Bush administration immigration law enforcement initiative, E-Verify, an online system operated jointly by the Homeland Security Department and the Social Security Administration to check the work status of new hires and penalize businesses that hire illegal employees.
Napolitano Confirmation Expected to Proceed ‘Promptly’
“I think the Napolitano selection is a step in the right direction,” said House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson , D-Miss.
Tom Ridge, the first secretary of homeland security and former Republican governor of Pennsylvania also praised the nomination.
“She brings seasoned experience in navigating the complex economic and security issues that intersect at our borders every day [and] she is an avid proponent of building strong relationships between the federal government and the states, and with our friends and allies around the world. I respectfully encourage the Senate to expedite her confirmation to ensure a seamless and secure transition of power,” Ridge said.
Current Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff also commended Napolitano’s nomination.
“She has a tremendous intellect and possesses the leadership and sound judgment needed to make the difficult decisions that this job presents,” Chertoff said. “Janet is an excellent choice for Secretary of Homeland Security, and I look forward to working with her as she prepares for this awesome responsibility.”
Some GOP Opposition
In the House, which does not vote on the nomination, at least one Republican expressed strong reservations about her appointment.
While ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committee Peter T. King , of New York, has previously said he looks forward to working with Napolitano in a bipartisan way, another prominent House Republican issued a strong statement against her nomination.
Lamar Smith of Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, said he is “troubled by President-elect Obama’s choice of Arizona Governor Napolitano,” adding that the “pick is an early sign that the Obama administration intends to weaken [immigration and border law] enforcement and push for amnesty.”
Smith said Napolitano had a “weak” record, and that while she claims to oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants, she supported efforts that would have rewarded “millions of illegal immigrants with amnesty.”
Smith also was at odds with Napolitano over the construction of a border fence.
State and Local Support
Some state and local organizations also approved of Napolitano’s selection.
Napolitano Confirmation Expected to Proceed ‘Promptly’
West Virginia Governor and Democratic Governor’s Association Chairman Joe Manchin said, “Napolitano has been a proven national leader on many policy issues, especially border security and public safety issues” and will bring “first-hand knowledge and expertise” to the department.
Chad Foster, mayor of Eagle Pass, Texas and chairman of the Texas Border Coalition, said “Napolitano understands from practical experience that securing our nation’s borders and maintaining an efficient flow of commerce between the U.S., Canada and Mexico cannot be mutually exclusive, especially in these tough economic times. The governor has long been committed to fixing the nation’s broken immigration system through comprehensive immigration reform — including a temporary guest worker program [and] we share her commitment to immigration reform as an essential element of real border security,” he added.
POST A COMMENT
Oops! The following errors must be addressed: