Week ahead: TSA eyes Napolitano replacement

{mosads}Pistole has been the chief of the airport security agency since 2010.

Conservatives have criticized both him and Napolitano for the TSA’s
controversial airport security techniques, like its X-ray machines and
“pat down” hand searches.

Vocal critics of the TSA celebrated the news of her departure when it was announced on Friday.

“Secretary Napolitano’s departure comes not a minute too soon,” Rep.
John Mica (R-Fla.) said in a statement. “Now is a good time for Congress
to consider dismantling the monstrous Department of Homeland Security
and replacing it with a smaller security focused entity that is
realistically capable of connecting the dots of threats posed to our
national security.”

New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has also been recommended for the vacated DHS post by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).

The White House has said that the president will be “deliberative” in
his selection of Napolitano’s replacement, and the Homeland Security secretary has said that she will remain in her post until August.

The TSA will also the topic of a hearing on Capitol Hill this week.

The House Homeland Security Committee’s Transportation Security
subcommittee will meet on Wednesday to discuss “stakeholder perspectives
on TSA’s acquisition reform,” officials with the panel said.

Also on Wednesday, 
the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee will meet to discuss delays with the Federal
Aviation Administration’s NextGen satellite airplane navigation
system.