WASHINGTON – The Senate moved closer to confirming President Donald Trump’s pick for Homeland Security Secretary on Sunday, with lawmakers voting 54-37 to end debate on Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin’s nomination.
A final confirmation vote is scheduled for Monday, and Mullin is widely expected to win approval. Once confirmed, he would take over from Secretary Kristi Noem, who was dismissed by Trump earlier this month on March 5.
The path to confirmation became virtually certain Thursday when the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved sending Mullin’s nomination to the full Senate floor. The committee moved forward despite objections from its chairman, Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul.
Should the Senate confirm him as anticipated, Mullin would make history as just the second Native American to hold a cabinet-level position. The senator is a member of the Cherokee Nation.
