Jan 8, 2002 

President Bush has installed former Secret Service director John Magaw as head of the new Transportation Security Administration created by Congress late last year. The recess appointment by-passed the Democratic controlled Senate, which had failed to confirm him quickly. Magaw's formal title will be under-secretary of transportation for security.

Bush announced Magaw's selection on December 10. The administration had threatened to exercise the president's right, described in the Constitution, to make temporary appointments by acting while the Senate was in recess.

The principal task of the Transportation Department agency will be to develop and deploy new security equipment at airports. The agency is to take control of aircraft security by February 19.

Magaw served in the Secret Service for 26 years and was named director in 1992. In his year as director, Magaw oversaw protective operations for the president and the first family. He headed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms from 1993 to 1999. He currently is acting executive director of the Office of National Preparedness at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"Given the importance of moving quickly to protect the public... and the upcoming deadlines in congressional legislation, the president thought it was too important to wait for Congress, and he was confident when Congress returns that Mr. Magaw would be confirmed," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.

Senior administration officials had warned Bush might make recess appointments.

Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the House Transportation aviation subcommittee, had urged Bush to use the recess appointment to install Magaw. Mica argued that the case of a man who tried to blow up a jetliner with a shoe bomb last month underscored the urgency of activating the new transportation security agency.

The under-secretary will set standards for hiring and training airport screeners, supervise employees and develop plans to deal with threats to transportation. He also is given the power to bypass normal rule-making procedures if he "determines that a regulation or security directive must be issued immediately in order to protect transportation security."

"I am pleased that President Bush has taken this action to allow John Magaw to immediately assume the responsibilities of our nation's new under-secretary for transportation security," Mica said.

"The traveling public can now be reassured that someone is in charge and is working to improve security at our airports and other transportation hubs."

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said Magaw "brings decades of wisdom, experience and leadership to our new Transportation Security Administration."