Ayotte Statement on Nomination of New TSA Administrator

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) welcomed today's announcement that the president has nominated Vice Admiral Peter V. Neffenger, the current Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, to serve as the next administrator of the Transportation Security Administration. Ayotte serves as chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security.

"At a time when our nation faces evolving security threats-often focused on the airline industry and its partners- TSA's role is more important than ever. To protect the traveling public and our transportation systems in New Hampshire and across our nation, we need strong leadership and a coherent strategy from TSA to ensure our nation is pursuing the best security posture," said Ayotte. "Filling this vacancy is a critical and long overdue step in that process, and I'm pleased that the president has selected a nominee to lead the agency. I look forward to considering Vice Admiral Neffenger's nomination in the Commerce Committee."

In January, Ayotte joined Senators John Thune (R-SD), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Deb Fischer (R-NE) in writing to the president and urging him to prioritize the formal nomination of a TSA Administrator, as former Administrator John Pistole announced his intention to retire in October 2014 and left office on December 31, 2014.

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