Regulatory Alert: President Biden Makes Key Appointments at DHS, DOT, and FAA
January 21, 2021
President Biden has made appointments to key leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
At DHS, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske will be serving as the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security until a permanent DHS Secretary is confirmed. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a confirmation hearing for Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday. However, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has indicated that he will object to moving the nomination forward. Until Senate leaders can negotiate a broad organizing agreement and rules to reflect the 50-50 split in the chamber, nominations essentially require unanimous agreement from all 100 senators to move forward. 
While Pekoske serves as the Acting DHS Secretary, Darby LaJoye will serve as the Acting TSA Administrator and Stacey Fitzmaurice will be his deputy. In addition, Troy Miller was named as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's senior official performing the duties of the Commissioner. Yesterday, Acting Secretary Pekoske issued a complete list identifying officials acting temporarily as DHS leaders throughout the department until new leadership is appointed, and in some cases, confirmed by the Senate. 
At DOT, Lana Hurdle will be serving as the Acting Secretary of Transportation until a permanent Transportation Secretary is confirmed. Secretary-Designate Pete Buttigieg is testifying at his confirmation hearing this morning before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. It is unclear how quickly Buttigieg's nomination will move through the committee and the Senate. Hurdle has been serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs at DOT and was responsible for assisting senior career staff in preparing for a change in administrations. Meanwhile, Steve Dickson, who has several years remaining in his term, is expected to continue as FAA Administrator.
In addition, this morning DOT announced that President Biden has appointed several key officials to leadership positions at DOT and FAA. The officials named, which do not require a Senate confirmation, include: 
Federal Aviation Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
President Biden has made appointments to key leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
At DHS, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske will be serving as the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security until a permanent DHS Secretary is confirmed. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a confirmation hearing for Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday. However, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has indicated that he will object to moving the nomination forward. Until Senate leaders can negotiate a broad organizing agreement and rules to reflect the 50-50 split in the chamber, nominations essentially require unanimous agreement from all 100 senators to move forward. 
While Pekoske serves as the Acting DHS Secretary, Darby LaJoye will serve as the Acting TSA Administrator and Stacey Fitzmaurice will be his deputy. In addition, Troy Miller was named as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's senior official performing the duties of the Commissioner. Yesterday, Acting Secretary Pekoske issued a complete list identifying officials acting temporarily as DHS leaders throughout the department until new leadership is appointed, and in some cases, confirmed by the Senate. 
At DOT, Lana Hurdle will be serving as the Acting Secretary of Transportation until a permanent Transportation Secretary is confirmed. Secretary-Designate Pete Buttigieg is testifying at his confirmation hearing this morning before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. It is unclear how quickly Buttigieg's nomination will move through the committee and the Senate. Hurdle has been serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs at DOT and was responsible for assisting senior career staff in preparing for a change in administrations. Meanwhile, Steve Dickson, who has several years remaining in his term, is expected to continue as FAA Administrator.
In addition, this morning DOT announced that President Biden has appointed several key officials to leadership positions at DOT and FAA. The officials named, which do not require a Senate confirmation, include: 
Federal Aviation Administration
- A. Bradley Mims, FAA Deputy Administrator
- Laurence Wildgoose, FAA Assistant Administrator for Policy, Intergovernmental Affairs and Environment
U.S. Department of Transportation
- Laura Schiller, Chief of Staff
- John Putnam, Deputy General Counsel
- Christopher Coes, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy
- Carol A. (Annie) Petsonk, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs
- Edward McGlone, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (House)
- Mohsin Syed, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (Senate)
