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1h ago

Senate Poised to Confirm Mullin as Homeland Security Secretary After 54–37 Cloture Vote

The final vote comes as DHS remains unfunded, with TSA staffing shortfalls causing long airport lines.

U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) departs with his staff after the panel’s vote to advance the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin to be President Trump's next Homeland Security secretary at a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 19, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
FILE - This photo combination shows, from left, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., in Washington, March 18, 2026, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.,. March 18, 2026 on Capitol Hill in Washington and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, Tom Brenner, file)
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U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) votes “aye” to advance the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin to be President Trump's next Homeland Security secretary at a U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 19, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Overview

  • Two Democrats, Sens. John Fetterman and Martin Heinrich, joined Republicans to advance Markwayne Mullin’s nomination, while Sen. Rand Paul opposed him in committee and did not vote on the floor.
  • The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee forwarded the nomination 8–7 last week after a combative hearing in which Paul questioned Mullin’s temperament and past comments.
  • DHS funding has been blocked since mid-February as Democrats press for enforcement changes including judge-signed warrants for most entries, limits near sensitive locations, visible identification, and body cameras.
  • Mullin signaled support for requiring judicial warrants in most home and business entries but is expected to carry out the White House’s immigration agenda if confirmed.
  • With TSA disruptions ongoing, the president has announced plans to deploy immigration officers to assist at airports, and Mullin’s confirmation would also vacate his Oklahoma Senate seat, prompting an interim appointment process.