WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today voted to support the nomination of David Pekoske to lead the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). McCaskill has supported all five of President Trump’s nominees to the Department of Homeland Security that have come before the Committee.
Click HERE for more photos from today’s business meeting.
“Missourians and all Americans depend on TSA to prevent terrorist threats and keep us safe whenever we travel,” McCaskill said. “Mr. Pekoske has a long history of service to our country, and if confirmed, I look forward to working with him to hold TSA accountable for doing all it can to protect Missouri and our nation’s transportation systems.”
TSA is responsible for securing the nation’s transportation systems—which includes ground, rail, and maritime security in addition to air travel. Prior to his nomination to lead TSA, Pekoske served for 33 years as a Coast Guard officer, including serving as the Vice Commandant. Now that he has been approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, his nomination will move to consideration by the full Senate.
McCaskill has served on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee since joining the Senate in 2007, and has made protecting American families at home and abroad a top priority. Earlier this month, her Committee released a report raising concerns over proposed cuts of over half a billion dollars to grant programs that support state and local counterterrorism preparedness programs, including Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams, which conduct sweeps of airports, train stations, and bus terminals in an effort to safeguard against terrorist attacks. In 2016, the Senate overwhelmingly passed major legislation to increase aviation safety and security that included a number of McCaskill-backed priorities, including foreign repair stations, improved screening of airport employees, and improved airport security.
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