The Senate moved Sunday to advance the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to become the next Secretary of Homeland Security, taking a procedural step toward filling a leadership vacuum at an agency grappling with operational challenges and political disputes. The 54-37 vote sets up a final confirmation vote early this week.
Democratic Support Secures Advancement
Mullin secured the necessary support through votes from two Democratic senators: John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico. Fetterman, who previously backed Mullin in committee, stated his support was "rooted in a strong, committed, constructive working relationship with Sen. Mullin for our nation's security." He characterized the nominee as an improvement over former Secretary Kristi Noem.
Heinrich offered similarly personal endorsement, calling Mullin a "friend" with whom he has "a very honest and constructive working relationship." He notably added that Mullin "is not someone who can simply be bullied into changing his views," a pointed reference to White House advisers pushing stricter immigration enforcement.
Underlying Tensions and Opposition
Despite these endorsements, significant Democratic concerns persist. Many lawmakers have refused to fund the department since mid-February, demanding reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as a condition. Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) suggested Mullin's confirmation could "give us an opportunity to have real discussion about what's going on" at DHS, praising him as competent and honest.
However, opposition was vocal. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), who has worked with Mullin, announced he would vote against confirmation, stating, "DHS needs a foundational shift, and I am unsure if Senator Mullin — or any Trump-appointed nominee — is capable of carrying it out." He cited a lack of commitment to major reforms.
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) opposed the nomination due to Mullin's votes against certifying the 2020 presidential election results while in the House. "That makes him the wrong person to serve as the DHS Secretary," Kaine argued, noting the department's role in election security.
Temperament Questions and Republican Advocacy
The nomination process has been shadowed by questions about Mullin's temperament, notably raised by Homeland Security Committee Chair Rand Paul (R-KY). Paul voted against Mullin in committee, citing concerns after the nominee made disparaging comments about him and appeared to justify a physical assault on the Kentucky senator. Paul publicly questioned whether Mullin has the "anger issues" suitable for leading the department.
Republican supporters countered these concerns. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) took to the Senate floor to praise Mullin as "smart" and "thoughtful," with "good friends on both sides of the aisle." He argued Mullin is "exactly the kind of leader we need at Homeland Security this moment," highlighting his cross-aisle work.
The department Mullin is poised to lead remains partially shuttered, with critical functions hampered. The ongoing funding impasse has caused operational chaos, including at major airports. Furthermore, the administration's stance, influenced by figures like Stephen Miller, continues to derail negotiations on Homeland Security funding and reform.
Eight Democrats and Senator Paul missed Sunday's procedural vote. Absentees included Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ). President Trump began considering Mullin as a replacement after Noem's troubled tenure, which included controversy over a publicly-funded advertising campaign.
