Union Members a Greater Threat than Terrorists?

Some Republican Senators seem to think so.

Counterterrorism expert Erroll Southers was nominated in September by President Barack Obama and approved by the Senate's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee last month.  But Senate tradition allows a single senator to slow down a nomination, and Senator Jim DeMint, Republican, South Carolina, has done just that--holding up nomination because of a dispute over whether TSA workers should have collective bargaining.  Southers, assistant chief for homeland security at the Los Angeles World Airports Police Department, is widely respected and likely to be confirmed once DeMint lifts his hold, Roth said.  DeMint is fearful TSA employess would unionize under Souther's leadership.

The Senate does not come back into session until Jan. 18.  If DeMint does not lift the hold before then, a vote could be forced after a procedural delay of several days.