Senators supportive of Bush’s pick for DHS management chief
Nominee would face hurdles, including a department with “deep divisions between employees and management,” lawmakers note.
Members of a Senate oversight panel on Wednesday expressed support for President Bush's nominee to lead the Homeland Security Department's management branch, but noted that the position is highly challenging.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee did not take a formal vote at the Wednesday hearing, and no timetable was available Thursday. But Committee Chairwoman Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she would like to see the full Senate confirm Paul Schneider as DHS' management chief before the close of the 109th session of Congress.
Schneider would replace Janet Hale, who stepped down earlier this year after more than three years as head of the DHS management directorate. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, told the nominee that "this is a pivotal position, perhaps even more than the [DHS] secretary's job."
"You will be coming into an agency with deep divisions between employees and management," Akaka said.
Collins also noted the magnitude of the challenge Schneider will face, if confirmed. "The phrase 'herding cats' comes to mind," she said, in describing the difficulties.
Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, expressed concern about the position itself, saying Schneider might lack adequate authority.
"We really don't like where you are on the [organizational] chart," Voinovich told the nominee.
The Ohio senator also expressed concern about budget issues surrounding heightened surveillance of the U.S.-Mexico border and high turnover within DHS.
Schneider is a former Defense Department executive, and most recently has served as an independent defense and aerospace consultant. He has been a key player in planning an administration effort to modernize air traffic control and other aspects of air transport.
In the area of personnel, Schneider said he would emphasize "a solid performance management plan." He noted that he would like to see a campaign of "aggressive hiring" to address recruitment and retention issues.
The nominee also said he would like to improve a "lack of internal controls" over finances at parts of the department. He singled out the Coast Guard as an example. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which has experienced substantial budget problems, is "turning around," he said.