Obama nominates new TSA chief

President Obama said Tuesday he will nominate Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger to head up the Transportation Security Administration.

Neffenger's three decades of experience with the Coast Guard "will be valuable to this administration's efforts to strengthen transportation security," Obama said in a statement.

"He has been a recognized leader in the face of our nation's important challenges," the president said, "and I am grateful for his service."

Neffenger must be confirmed by the Senate. He was praised after lawmakers of both parties had criticized Obama for the lack of nominee since the previous administrator, John Pistole, announced his departure in October and retired from public service Dec. 31.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., who heads the transportation committee, said the nomination will receive prompt consideration by his panel.

"Adm. Neffenger's lengthy military service offers a strong indication of essential leadership skills and an understanding of the threats our nation faces," Thune said.

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, who heads the House Homeland Security Committee, said Neffenger would provide effective and consistent leadership.

"I am confident that his extensive experience in homeland security, as well as the vice commandant of the Coast Guard, will serve the TSA workforce and the American traveling public well," McCaul said.

The top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, said Neffenger would bring ample leadership to the agency. TSA was often a target for congressional criticism in its early years, after airport and other transportation security was federalized in the wake of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001.

"We need strong leadership in place to build upon the progress that has been made in addressing issues in aviation security," Thompson said.

Pistole, a 26-year veteran of the FBI, was widely credited with improving TSA's reputation during his four years in office. He bolstered training for checkpoint officers and initiated risk-based security to focus the greatest scrutiny on the least-known travelers such as the Pre-check program for expedited screening.

Acting Administrator Melvin Carraway has headed the agency since Pistole's departure.

During his Coast Guard career, Neffenger coordinated security at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif. He helped supervise the cleanup of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.