Senator questions DHS nominee’s qualifications

Senator questions DHS nomineeÆs qualifications

Collins

   Sen. Susan Collins, ranking Republican on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, on Wednesday issued a statement opposing the nomination of Rafael Borras to be under secretary of management at the Department of Homeland Security.
   She announced her position after the committee approved Borras’ nomination and sent it to the full Senate for a vote.
   Collins said she is concerned that Borras lacks the experience for a job managing 200,000 employees, a $50 billion budget, expensive procurement contracts and interagency coordination after the department has been plagued by fraud, waste and mismanagement.
   As a vice president at a private corporation, Borras only manages about 100 people, Collins said.
   Borras is vice president of construction services for URS Corp.’s mid-Atlantic region and a former regional director at the General Services Administration.

Borras

   ‘That is precisely why two years ago our committee worked to elevate the under secretary for management, the person responsible for integrating the management functions at DHS, to the level of deputy secretary. Under that 2007 law, the under secretary is required to have significant leadership capability, extensive executive-level management experience, a demonstrated ability to manage large and complex organizations, and a proven record in achieving positive operational results.
   ‘Mr. Borras’ experience simply fails to meet the statutory requirements that we put in law. I believe that the President would be better served by appointing him to a different position with less significant management responsibilities,’ the moderate Republican said.
   She also pointed to numerous tax errors on Borras’ income tax filings as ‘notable and troubling.’
   The repeated errors ‘are concerning because they show a lack of attention to detail and a pattern of carelessness.’
   Republican Sens. George Voinovich of Ohio and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina also voted against Borras.