Senate votes to end DHS chaos, advances Markwayne Mullin as agency's next secretary

WASHINGTON, DC: The Senate voted on Sunday, March 22, to advance Sen Markwayne Mullin's nomination to become the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, taking a significant step toward installing new leadership at an agency rocked by upheaval in recent months.

Lawmakers voted 54-37 to move Mullin’s nomination ahead, setting up a final confirmation vote that could come as early as Monday or Tuesday.

If confirmed, the Oklahoma Republican would succeed Kristi Noem at a time when the department is facing deep political and operational strain, with lawmakers from both parties acknowledging the need for more stable leadership at DHS.

Markwayne Mullin clears key procedural vote in Senate

Sunday’s vote marked an important milestone for Mullin, whose nomination has moved quickly through the chamber despite concerns from some lawmakers over his temperament and whether he would pursue meaningful reforms inside the department.

Mullin received support from a small number of Democrats, including Sen John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, whose backing proved especially notable after Sen Rand Paul of Kentucky, the chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, voted against advancing the nomination last week.

Fetterman said he supported Mullin because he views him as an improvement over Noem and someone with whom he has built a productive working relationship.

“We must reopen DHS. My aye is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Sen Mullin for our nation’s security,” Fetterman said.

Fetterman and Sen Martin Heinrich of New Mexico were the only Democrats to vote in favor of advancing the nomination on Sunday.

A handful of Democrats cross party lines

Mullin’s ability to attract even limited Democratic support reflects his reputation in the Senate as a blunt but effective dealmaker who has maintained relationships across party lines.

Sen Peter Welch of Vermont praised Mullin earlier this month as “competent” and “honest,” and suggested his confirmation could create an opening for more serious bipartisan discussions over the future of DHS and its immigration enforcement practices.

“This is going to give us an opportunity to have real discussion about what’s going on with the Department of Homeland Security,” Welch said in a CNN interview earlier this month.

Still, Democratic support remained narrow. While several Democrats have spoken positively of Mullin personally, many remain deeply frustrated with the department’s direction and the administration’s handling of immigration enforcement.

Democrats have withheld support for DHS funding since February 14 unless the White House agrees to changes at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, making clear that the confirmation fight is tied to broader disputes over immigration policy and executive authority.