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President-elect Obama nominates Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano to be Secretary of DHS

On December 1, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama nominated Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano (D) as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). During his press conference announcing his nomination, Obama said that Napolitano "offers the experience and executive skills" needed for the position. As a border state governor, Napolitano signed into law what she called the toughest employer sanctions law in the country. Called the Legal Arizona Workers Act, the law suspends and revokes business licenses of employers that intentionally or knowingly employ undocumented workers in the United States. The Act, which took effect January 1, and which survived numerous legal challenges, requires employers to check the legal status of their new hires using E-Verify. "She has a tremendous intellect and possesses the leadership and sound judgment needed to make the difficult decisions that this job presents," said Michael Chertoff, current head of DHS. Accepting the nomination, Napolitano said she was "humbled and honored by President-elect Obama’s invitation, and...proud to accept it." Susan Collins, ranking Republican on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said: "The Department of Homeland Security requires a strong leader who has the ability to direct one of the largest government departments and has a commitment to working in a bipartisan manner on homeland security challenges facing our nation. As a governor of a border state, Janet Napolitano understands the importance of developing policies that will not impede legitimate travel and trade but will keep our enemies out. I spoke with the Governor earlier today and look forward to working with Senator [Joe] Lieberman to consider this nomination carefully and expeditiously."

Reprinted with permission. © CCH

 
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