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Senators clash over Homeland Security management nominee
Usually in lockstep, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Joseph Lieberman and ranking member Susan Collins were at odds Wednesday over President Obama's pick to manage the Homeland Security Department.
The committee voted 7-3 to send to the full Senate the nomination of Rafael Borras to be undersecretary for management at the department. Lieberman backed the nomination, noting Borras has 27 years of management experience in the public and private sectors.
"On balance, I think this nominee deserves to be confirmed," he said. Collins adamantly opposed the nomination, saying she did not believe Borras had sufficient experience.
She noted that Borras failed to account for about $10,000 in taxable income in 2005 and 2006, although he has since paid taxes he owed and fines.
"I believe that he fails to meet the statutory requirements that we put in law to make sure that we had a person of significant experience in this position," Collins said. The controversy is expected to follow the nomination to the Senate floor.
COMMENTS
- Senator Collins is being ridiculous. Ralph Borras is a stellar nominee, having worked in similar positions at Commerce and GSA, as well as senior positions in the private sector. She needs to realize that private sector experience counts for as much as federal experience. Further, two isolated tax issues, which were discovered by his accountant, should not an indictment on Mr. Borras' capabiity to perform this job. This inane behavior by Congress is one of the reasons why good people avoid public service. Confirm this guy and let's move on. FederalExcellence Posted November 7, 2009 10:34 AM
- Experience? Since when does experience count for anything? Look what's sitting in the White House! DK Posted October 29, 2009 5:15 PM
- Sen. Collins wants to make a point against the Administration's nominees with tax problems. At least in this case, he took care of it before this Administration was even elected. Congress doesn't understand the boroad federal, and local government managment experience this guy has. Cosmo deMedici Posted October 29, 2009 3:44 PM
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