WASHINGTON – The Senate has confirmed three of President Barack Obama's Homeland Security nominees.
R. Gil Kerlikowske was confirmed Thursday as the first permanent commissioner for the agency that oversees both customs and immigration officers at the country's ports of entry and the Border Patrol since before Obama took office in 2009. Kerlikowske was previously head of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.
The Senate also confirmed Suzanne E. Spaulding as deputy undersecretary for National Protection Programs and John Roth as inspector general.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson applauded the appointments and said he could continue working to fill other senior management jobs at the department.
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