A former top Pentagon lawyer has been confirmed as the
fourth director of the US department of homeland security.
Senators confirmed Jeh Johnson, the former general
counsel for the defence department, in a 78-16 vote.
He will replace former chief Janet Napolitano, who left
in September. Mr Johnson has said filling vacancies at the department is a top
priority.
His is one in a series of high-level confirmations to
come after Democrats changed the Senate rules last month.
Mr Johnson will be the first African American to lead the
massive department, which covers 22 separate agencies and was created in
response to the 9/11 terror attacks.
"In Jeh, our dedicated homeland security
professionals will have a strong leader with a deep understanding of the
threats we face," President Barack Obama said in a statement.
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