Napolitano resigns as Homeland Security secretary

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who has handled
hot-button issues ranging from immigration to counter-terrorism, said
Friday she is resigning to run the University of California and its
system of colleges.

"I thank President Obama for the chance to serve our nation during
this important chapter in our history," Napolitano said in a
statement. "And I know the Department of Homeland Security will
continue to perform its important duties with the honor and focus that
the American public expects."

Obama praised Napolitano's performance during four-and-a-half years at
the Department of Homeland Security, noting that its responsibilities
during her tenure ranged from the Joplin tornado to Hurricane Sandy,
as well as efforts to thwart terrorism.

"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," Obama said. "And the American people are safer and more
secure thanks to Janet's leadership in protecting our homeland against
terrorist attacks."

PROFILE: Napolitano's tenure and legacy

White House spokesman Jay Carney noted that Napolitano will stay at
her post until September, and that Obama will be "very deliberate" in
selecting a successor.

A prominent senator -- Democrat Charles Schumer of New York -- has
already floated one name, New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Her resignation caught many in Washington by surprise -- Napolitano
has often been mentioned as a potential successor to Attorney General
Eric Holder.

Some Republicans and others criticized Napolitano over immigration
policies, citing a de-emphasis on prosecutions against suspects
believed to be in the United States illegally. Napolitano also backed
a plan to end deportations against young people who lacked legal
status.

Napolitano and supporters said limited law enforcement resources
should focus on threats to public safety and national security.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., said Napolitano's tenure has been marked
"by a consistent disrespect for the rule of law," and that "the most
significant obstacle to immigration reform remains President Obama's
selective enforcement of the law."

Others, however, pointed to record numbers of deportations on
Napolitano's watch. Chris Newman, legal director for the National Day
Laborer Organizing Network, said, "we are pleased to see her go."

Sessions and other critics have also faulted Napolitano's department
for failing to be transparent about border security and the botched
"Fast and Furious" gun running investigation.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he and his fellow Arizonan "have had
our share of disagreements" over the years, "but I have never doubted
her integrity, work ethic, or commitment to our nation's security."

Napolitano, a former governor of Arizona, is only the third person to
lead the Department of Homeland Security, created a decade ago in the
wake of the 9/11 attacks. She held the job throughout Obama's first
term.

DHS employees "serve on the front lines of our nation's efforts to
protect our communities and families from harm," Napolitano said, and
working with them "has been the highlight of my professional career."

She said her department "has improved the safety of travelers;
implemented smart steps that make our immigration system more fair and
focused while deploying record resources to protect our nation's
borders; worked with states to build resiliency and make our nation's
emergency and disaster response capabilities more robust; and
partnered with the private sector to improve our cybersecurity."

The University of California regents who run a 10-campus college
system confirmed Napolitano's new appointment in a statement, praising
her as someone who has run large public agencies and has a deep
interest in improving higher education.

Chosen over more than 300 other potential candidates, Napolitano will
be the 20th president of the University of California.

"While some may consider her to be an unconventional choice, Secretary
Napolitano is without a doubt the right person at the right time to
lead this incredible university," said a statement from Sherry
Lansing, the regent and former film industry executive who headed the
search committee.

Added Lansing: "She will bring fresh eyes and a new sensibility — not
only to UC, but to all of California. She will stand as a vigorous
advocate for faculty, students and staff at a time when great changes
in our state, and across the globe, are presenting as many
opportunities as challenges."

In her statement, Napolitano said that in her new job she wants "to
play a role in educating our nation's next generation of leaders."

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Democrats vow abortion fight in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Republicans in the Texas Legislature passed an
omnibus abortion bill that is one of the most restrictive in the
nation, but Democrats vowed Saturday to fight both in the courts and
the ballot box as they used the measure to rally their supporters.

More than 2,000 demonstrators filled the Capitol building in Austin to
oppose the bill, and state troopers drug six out of the Senate chamber
for trying to disrupt the debate. The Republican majority ultimately
passed the bill unchanged just before midnight, with all but one
Democrat voting against it.

"Today the Texas Legislature took its final step in our historic
effort to protect life," said Gov. Rick Perry who will sign the bill
into law in the next few days. "This legislation builds on the strong
and unwavering commitment we have made to defend life and protect
women's health."

Democrats, though, promised a fight in the courts.

"There will be a lawsuit. I promise you," Dallas Sen. Royce West said
on the Senate floor, raising his right hand as if taking an oath.

Democrats offered 20 amendments to the bill, which will ban abortions
after 20 weeks, require abortion doctors to have admitting privileges
at a nearby hospital and require all abortions take place in surgical
centers. They ranged from exceptions for rape and incest to allowing
doctors more leeway in prescribing abortion-inducing drugs. But
Republicans would have none of it.

The bill is just one of many across the nation championed by
anti-abortion groups set on a constitutional challenge to Roe vs Wade,
the U.S. Supreme Court decision guaranteeing a woman's right to decide
on an abortion before the fetus is viable outside the womb.

Texas falls under the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has shown a
willingness to accept more stringent limits on abortions. Passing the
law also pleases Christian conservatives who make up the majority of
Republican primary voters.

But the measure has also sparked protests in Texas not seen in least
20 years, with thousands of abortion rights supporters flooding the
Capitol to draw out normally boring committee hearings and disrupting
key votes. Protesters finished a filibuster started by Democratic Sen.
Wendy Davis of Fort Worth by jeering for the last 15 minutes of the
first special session, effectively killing the bill.

That's when Perry called lawmakers back for round two. But opponents
said the fight is far from over and used the popular anger to register
and organize Democratic voters.

"Let's make sure that tonight is not an ending point, it's a beginning
point for our future, our collective futures, as we work to take this
state back." Davis told 2,000 adoring supporters after the bill
passed.

The Texas Republican Party, meanwhile, celebrated what they considered
a major victory that makes Texas "a nationwide leader in pro-life
legislation."

"As Democrats continue to talk about their dreams of turning Texas
blue, passage of HB2 is proof that Texans are conservative and
organized and we look forward to working with our amazing Republican
leadership in the Texas Legislature as they finish the special session
strong," a party statement said.

Friday's debate took place between a packed gallery of demonstrators,
with anti-abortion activists wearing blue and abortion-rights
supporters wearing orange. Security was tight, and state troopers
reported confiscating bottles of urine and feces as they worked to
prevent another attempt to stop the Republican majority from passing
the proposal.

Those arrested or removed from the chamber included four women who
tried to chain themselves to a railing in the gallery while singing,
"All we are saying is give choice a chance." One of the women was
successful in chaining herself, prompting a 10-minute recess.
Sen. Glen Hegar of Katy, the bill's Republican author, argued that all
abortions, including those induced with medications, should take place
in an ambulatory surgical center in case of complications.

Democrats pointed out that childbirth is more dangerous than an
abortion and there have been no serious problems with women taking
abortion drugs at home.

Cecile Richards, the daughter of former Gov. Anne Richards and
president of Planned Parenthood, said Texas Republicans and abortion
opponents won this political round — but it could cost them down the
road.

"All they have done is built a committed group of people across this
state who are outraged about the treatment of women and the lengths to
which this Legislature will go to take women's health care away," she
said.

The dedication of those activists will be tested during the 2014
elections. Democrats have not won a statewide seat in Texas since
1994, the longest such losing streak in the nation.

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