New GSA administrator answers the call -- literally

Talk about phoning it in! Newly minted General Services Administrator Martha N. Johnson was formally sworn into office on Sunday evening -- by telephone.

GSA Administrator Martha Johnson

Acting Administrator Steve Leeds called Johnson at her Annapolis home and administered the oath of office, the agency said Tuesday. Johnson's husband, Steve, served as the official witness.

The oath-of-office-by-phone is perfectly legal and was necessary because of the weekend snowstorm, the agency said.

The inclement weather has delayed Johnson's ceremonial swearing-in and her town hall forum with employees until 2 p.m. next Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the agency's downtown Washington headquarters.

Johnson was confirmed by the Senate last week after an eight-month delay. Leeds has returned to his role as the agency's senior counselor after serving as GSA's fourth acting administrator in the last two years.

RELATED: Q&A with Martha N. Johnson in Tuesday's Washington Post

Track Obama nominees with The Post's Head Count