CBP Needs Politically Appointed Commissioner, Say Aguilar and Winkowski

Putting in place a Senate-confirmed Commissioner of CBP is "critically important," to the agency, said Deputy Commissioner David Aguilar, speaking to reporters at the East Coast Trade Symposium Nov. 28. Aguilar was named acting commissioner last year after the term for Commissioner Alan Bersin's recess appointment expired. The agency hasn't had a politically appointed commissioner since 2009.

(Aguilar recently updated his title to Deputy Commissioner from Acting Commissioner to remain in compliance with the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, which limits the amount of time government positions requiring presidential appointment and Senate confirmation can be temporarily filled. The previous Acting Deputy Commissioner, Thomas Winkowski, now Acting Chief Operating Officer at CBP, also had to change his title. (See ITT's Online Archives 12091219 for summary of the title changes in September.)

A 'Big Deal'

It's a "big deal" because an agency like CBP "absolutely requires a politically appointed head," he said. But "the agency as a whole has not skipped a beat," he said. "Not only have we continued with the initiatives that we began, but we are continuing to develop new initiatives" and innovations thanks to the team of career individuals now running the agency, he said.

Winkowski agreed with the need for a Commissioner. "Every organization needs permanent leadership and we look forward to getting the next commissioner on board." Aguilar declined to speculate as to how the recent elections might affect movement toward a political appointment at CBP. "That is a question that goes to another level within the organization," he said.

Correction: CBP hasn't had a Senate-confirmed commissioner since 2009. CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin was appointed, but never confirmed.