PRESIDENT OBAMA:
“I want to thank Secretary Napolitano for her outstanding work on behalf of the American people over the last four years. At the Department of Homeland Security, Janet’s portfolio has included some of the toughest challenges facing our country. She’s worked around the clock to respond to natural disasters, from the Joplin tornado to Hurricane Sandy, helping Americans recover and rebuild. Since day one, Janet has led my administration’s effort to secure our borders, deploying a historic number of resources, while also taking steps to make our immigration system fairer and more consistent with our values. And the American people are safer and more secure thanks to Janet’s leadership in protecting our homeland against terrorist attacks. I’ve come to rely on Janet’s judgment and advice, but I’ve also come to value her friendship. And as she begins a new chapter in a remarkable career of public service, I wish her the best of luck.”
SENATOR JOHN McCAIN:
“Janet Napolitano has served our nation with honor over the last four years as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security – one of the toughest and most thankless jobs in Washington. We have had our share of disagreements during her time as Secretary, but I have never doubted her integrity, work ethic or commitment to our nation’s security. The people of Arizona can be very proud of our former Governor’s service, and I wish her all the best as she assumes leadership of the nation’s largest public university system.”
Stay tuned for more reactions.
SENATOR TED CRUZ:
“Secretary Napolitano’s resignation announcement coincides with Senator Reid’s brazen attempt to silence individual senators and give all power over executive nominations to the White House and the Senate majority by threatening to use the so-called ‘nuclear option.’ At the same time, he silenced the minority by denying them the right to offer amendments to immigration reform on the Senate floor. The result? The next DHS Secretary gets unchecked discretion over U.S. border security.
The Senate is getting ready to hand complete control of immigration and border security to President Obama and Harry Reid. The nuclear option would make it possible for the majority to ram through a partisan nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security – who will then oversee border security, immigration, and counter–terrorism policies – with no minority input.
I hope the Senate will have a meaningful role in confirming the next Secretary. Moreover, I hope the President’s nominee will be dedicated to actually enforcing the law as written, rather than catering to the political agenda of the White House.”