WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement on the announcement that President Donald Trump intends to nominate current White House Deputy Chief of Staff Kirstjen Nielsen as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

“I applaud President Trump for moving to send the Senate a nominee to lead critical federal efforts protecting our infrastructure, borders, and cyberspace. Kirstjen Nielson’s experience in cybersecurity, at the Transportation Security Administration, and at the White House will be invaluable as she leads the department, once confirmed. As chairman of the Commerce Committee, I look forward to working with her to further the important missions of the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, and the department’s efforts to enhance security of federal and private networks.”

The Commerce Committee exercises legislative jurisdiction over the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which are components of the Department of Homeland Security.  The Committee also exercises jurisdiction over efforts to set standards for cybersecurity.

 

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