Johnson approval held up in Senate

A former Dickinson resident's final approval for a position within the Obama administration is being held up by one senator.

During the spring, former resident Martha (Nace) Johnson was notified that she was nominated to be administrator of the General Services Administration. After facing an hour-long Senate hearing in early June where she was unanimously voted in, Johnson said all that's left to do is wait for final Senate approval, which could come at any time.

In her position, Johnson said she would be a part of a large agency in Washington which would handle federal buildings and manage all goods and services needed by federal employees.

Her approval is being held up by Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, R-Mo., who placed a hold on her confirmation, which Johnson said has nothing to do with her.

"His complaint really has nothing to do with me except that I'm going into a role into the General Services Administration where the federal buildings are managed and he wants a new building in downtown Kansas City," Johnson said. "This is his way of making that known."

Johnson said the situation is unusual enough that it's beginning to get attention.

Dickinson resident Deb Greenwood, a longtime friend of Johnson's, said she doesn't believe Johnson is controversial.

"I'm very anxious to see how it's going to turn out," Greenwood said. "I think it seems kind of silly that we don't have anyone at the head of the GSA when her confirmation hearing was in June and it's been going on this long."

Although there are ways to get around the hold-up, such as cloture, or taking the approval to the floor of the Senate for a vote, Johnson believes that wouldn't be a good precedent to set, due to the amount of people that still need approval.

"I sit and do my other job and wait," Johnson said with a laugh.

Until she's approved, Johnson said the GSA has an acting administrator.

Johnson, who is currently the vice president of culture at Computer Sciences Corp., was part of the Clinton administration for eight years, serving as chief of staff at the GSA.

Johnson attended high school in Dickinson from 1966 to 1968 before moving east. She is the daughter of Ted Nace and the late Lovina Nace.

Johnson and her husband reside in Maryland. Once Johnson receives final approval, her office would be in Washington.