Third Pick For TSA Administrator, FBI's Pistole, Nears Approval

Sitting before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee for his second confirmation hearing on Thursday, John Pistole—the administration's third pick to lead the Transportation Security Administration—was nearer to securing the position than either of President Obama's previous picks, and, inching him closer, committee chairman Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) closed the hearing by saying he expects the Senate to confirm him within the next two weeks.

"We're going to try to move this through as quickly as I can," Lieberman said during the confirmation hearing on Thursday. "Our goal is to make sure you get confirmed before we break for the July 4 recess, so hopefully we'll get you out of the committee sometime next week and passed on the floor as soon thereafter as possible."

Thursday's hearing came exactly a month after Obama nominated the Federal Bureau of Investigation veteran to lead TSA. Obama's first nominee, Erroll Southers, withdrew his nomination in January amid scrutiny of his tenure at the FBI two decades ago, while his second pick, retired U.S. Army Major General Robert Harding, withdrew his nomination in late March due to concerns about his role as a former defense contractor. Neither of them made it as far as a confirmation hearing.

"There's an old saying that the third time's a charm," said Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) during the hearing. "This time, I certainly hope so."