CISA nominee withdraws

Sean Plankey has withdrawn his nomination to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency after 13 months without a Senate confirmation vote. (politico.com) Plankey told the White House on April 22 that “it has become clear” the Senate would not confirm him, according to letters described by Politico, Federal News Network and CyberScoop. President Donald Trump had first sent his nomination to the Senate on March 10, 2025. (politico.com) (congress.gov) (federalnewsnetwork.com) The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held Plankey’s hearing on July 24, 2025, then reported him favorably and placed him on the Senate Executive Calendar on July 30. The nomination was returned to the president on January 3, 2026, under Senate rules, and Trump renominated him days later. (hsgac.senate.gov) (congress.gov) (nextgov.com) CISA is the Department of Homeland Security agency that helps defend federal civilian networks and works with utilities, hospitals, election offices and other critical infrastructure operators. The director’s job sets priorities for those defenses and speaks for the agency with governors, mayors and private-sector operators during major cyber incidents. (nextgov.com) (cyberscoop.com) The agency has now gone more than a year without a Senate-confirmed leader. Nick Andersen is serving as acting director after earlier interim stints by Bridget Bean and Madhu Gottumukkala. (nextgov.com) (cyberscoop.com) (politico.com) The holdup was not mainly about Plankey’s cyber résumé. Politico, CyberScoop and Federal News Network reported that several senators placed holds on the nomination, with Sen. Rick Scott of Florida objecting over a Coast Guard shipbuilding dispute tied to Plankey’s separate work as a senior adviser on Coast Guard matters. (politico.com) (cyberscoop.com) (federalnewsnetwork.com) Plankey spent part of the wait inside DHS, first as a senior adviser connected to Coast Guard issues, before stepping away from that role. In his withdrawal message, he also cited the strain on his family from the long confirmation fight. (politico.com) (federalnewsnetwork.com) The vacancy comes during a period of churn inside CISA. Federal News Network and Politico reported that the agency has lost about one-third of its staff since January 2025, while the White House has also sought additional budget cuts. (federalnewsnetwork.com) (politico.com) Plankey wrote that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin “requires a confirmed Director of CISA without further delay.” His exit leaves that decision back with the White House, which now has to name another nominee and restart the Senate process from the beginning. (cyberscoop.com) (federalnewsnetwork.com)