DHS Official Testifies that Administration Change in 2009 Will Have Minimal Impact on its Operations

(The House Homeland Security Committee has oversight jurisdiction over DHS and is examining the department's ongoing transition process as DHS was only created in 2003 and will be undergoing its first Presidential transition in 2009.)

Role of Political Appointees in Transition

In response to Committee inquiries on the "disproportionately large number of political appointees" at DHS, Schneider testified that DHS has approximately 200 political appointees, which is one tenth of one percent of the entire department. Of these, 82 are in positions that are considered senior executives.

(Committee Chairman Thompson had previously raised concerns over the large number of political appointees at DHS stating: (1) that their mass exodus would likely have a major impact on day-to-day operations; and (2) that press accounts have stated that some political appointees have or will be converted into positions formerly occupied by civil servants, which the Chairman found inappropriate absent a fully competitive process.)

Schneider stated that for departing senior level political appointees, DHS has identified interim acting career executives, including the following (partial list):

Ahern to serve as acting CBP Commissioner. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner Ahern, a career civil servant, will serve as the acting CBP Commissioner during the transition. In addition, Schneider noted that CBP's Chief of the Border Patrol, the Director of Field Operations, and the Assistant Commissioner for Air and Marine, are all long-standing career civil servants.

Rossides to serve as acting TSA Administrator. Transportation Security Administration Deputy Administrator Rossides, a career civil servant, will assume the responsibilities of the Acting Administrator during the transition.

Torres to serve as acting ICE Assistant Secretary. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Deputy Assistant Secretary Torres, a career civil servant, will serve as the Acting Assistant Secretary during the transition.

Other Transition Efforts

Among DHS' other transition efforts, Schneider noted the following (partial list):

Practice exercises. In concert with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other parts of DHS, the Council for Excellence in Government will deliver multiple table top exercises during the time of the presidential campaign, inauguration, and subsequent appointments of Senate-confirmed positions. These exercises will ensure that senior career and incoming appointees have the ability to put into practice the guidance of the National Response Framework, the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, and the National Incident Management System.

Administrative guidance to maintain operations. According to Schneider, DHS' internal processes initiative will involve reviewing directives, strengthening records management and ensuring for incoming staff that both new appointees and career employees are equipped with the tools they need. DHS will also be developing briefing materials to convey the requisite information and knowledge to maintain operations.

Training conferences. DHS is holding training conferences as well as briefings and exercises to prepare senior level career personnel to be the decision makers should they be called upon to manage an incident in the absence of senior leadership.

Hearing information, including links to DHS Acting Deputy Secretary Schneider's testimony and DHS transition planning documents available at http://hsc.house.gov/Hearings/index.asp?ID=129