Disclaimer: I have absolutely no knowledge about this situation; what I'm about to say is sheer speculation.

I just saw a brief report on CNN that Senator Reid is planning on "forcing a vote" in the Senate on Erroll Southers' nomination soon after the holiday recess -- even over the objections of Senator DeMint.

It strikes me that, in the highly polarized political environment that is Washington, not having Gale Rossides giving statements makes it look like TSA doesn't have a director ... thereby making the vote to confirm a director for TSA seem more urgent.

So, perhaps, there's a reason we haven't heard from Ms. Rossides. But, as I said, this is just my uninformed speculation ...