WASHINGTON — A key Senate committee voted 8-7 on Thursday to advance President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
The vote in the Senate Homeland Security Committee sends Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to the full Senate for consideration one day after a contentious confirmation hearing.
The committee is divided between eight Republicans and seven Democrats. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who chairs the committee, voted against Mullin after taking him to task for “anger issues” at his hearing one day earlier.
“Senator Mullin tried to justify a violent attack on me. Now he wants to lead ICE and Border Patrol? You cannot restore law and order with someone who has an anger problem,” Paul said on X. “America deserves better.”
Without any Democratic support, the nomination would have stalled in committee. But Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., broke with other Democrats to vote for Mullin, ensuring that he will advance to the Senate floor, where he needs 51 votes for confirmation.
“In January, I called on the president to fire Noem—and he did,” Fetterman said on X, referring to outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open-mind. We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS. My AYE is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security.”
A Senate vote hasn’t been scheduled yet, but it could take place next week. Trump has said he wants Mullin to begin by March 31.
DHS faces numerous challenges amid a backlash over its immigration enforcement tactics, the ongoing war in Iran and delays at airports after DHS funding lapsed beginning on Feb. 14.
The other Democrats on the panel voted against Mullin.
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., the ranking member, said Mullin proved at his hearing that he isn’t up to the task of restoring trust in DHS among ordinary Americans and members of Congress.
“He has failed to be forthright and transparent. Sen. Mullin also showed that he doesn’t have the experience or the temperament to lead this critical department,” Peters said in remarks Thursday before the committee vote.
