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Markwayne Mullin moved closer to becoming President Donald Trump’s next homeland security secretary after a Senate committee narrowly advanced his nomination in a vote of 8-7 on Thursday.
The approval by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee sent the Cabinet nomination to the full Senate, which could act to confirm the Oklahoma Republican next week. The vote came after a contentious hearing on Wednesday that lawmakers used to press competing concerns about the Department of Homeland Security, and it also reflected the broader partisan fight over DHS policy.
The committee action included a “no” from Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and a “yes” from Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. The split approval came as the parties are “fighting bitterly” over DHS policies, a dispute that has contributed to a funding lapse that has reached its 34th day.
During his testimony, Mullin sought to portray himself as a stabilizing choice following the “tumultuous tenure” of Kristi Noem, Trump’s first DHS secretary. He also signaled support for Trump’s immigration priorities, which have become central to the standoff over DHS funding.
The hearing, described as unusually combative, nearly escalated out of control during exchanges with some Democrats and with Paul. Paul opened the session by challenging Mullin’s fitness to lead DHS, and he raised a dispute involving Mullin’s disclosure of what he described as a “classified” congressional trip while Mullin was a House member.
Paul also pointed to comments Mullin made during a previous funding fight. In those remarks, Mullin referred to Paul as a “freaking snake” and said he understood why a neighbor had tackled Paul in a lawn care dispute. Paul said the incident happened several years ago and that he suffered multiple broken ribs and later surgeries that he linked to the attack.
“I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force?” Paul asked. Mullin, according to the account of the hearing, refused to back down and responded, “For you to say I’m a liar, sir, that’s not accurate.”
Fetterman, who has frequently challenged his own party, said his vote was “rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security.” Paul later indicated he would not vote for Mullin’s confirmation.
As the nomination heads to the full Senate, lawmakers’ disagreement over DHS direction—and the service disruption tied to the long-running funding lapse—hangs over the next step in the confirmation process.