WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, made the following statement today after the White House announced President Obama’s intent to nominate John S. Pistole to lead the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

“The position of TSA Administrator is crucial to America’s transportation security, and has remained vacant for far too long,” said Senator Hutchison.  “Our nation wants and needs to have this position filled.  This is the third nominee put forward by this Administration, and I will be carefully reviewing his qualifications.  Considering the many credible threats across all modes of transportation, there are many challenges ahead for TSA and the American traveling public demands a qualified candidate who can be swiftly confirmed in a bipartisan manner.”