[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E21]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH 10-YEAR TERM FOR TSA 
                             ADMINISTRATOR

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                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 13, 2010

  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
establish a 10-year term of office for any individual appointed to 
serve as the administrator of the Transportation Security 
Administration, TSA, akin to the appointment process for the director 
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.
  The failed Christmas Day bombing of a U.S. airliner points to the 
need for strong, capable leadership at TSA. It is essential that the 
agency be independent of political influence and focus on its core 
mission: to protect ``the Nation's transportation systems to ensure 
freedom of movement for people and commerce.'' Given the continued 
threat from al Qaeda to U.S. and international aviation, it is 
essential that the TSA administrator has bipartisan support.
  I believe a 10-year term for the administrator of TSA will help 
provide the agency with the qualified, long-term and independent 
leadership it needs at this time. Over the last 9 years since TSA's 
creation following 9/11, TSA has had six administrators--averaging 
terms of just 1.5 years. This is hardly the stable and committed 
leadership that the agency should have, given its critical role in 
ensuring the safety of our citizens and aviation infrastructure. It 
simply does not make sense for the position to change hands with each 
new administration or even sooner.
  This bill further strengthens our Nation's homeland by ensuring 
stable leadership at the Department of Homeland Security and freeing 
that the TSA administrator to assure agency professionalism over 
political fidelity. I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

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