WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Sen. moved a step closer to becoming President Donald Trump’s next homeland security secretary after a Senate committee Thursday narrowly advanced his nomination.
The 8-7 vote came after a contentious hearing Wednesday and sent the Cabinet nomination to the full Senate, which could act to confirm the Oklahoma Republican next week.
That vote included a 鈥渘o鈥� from the Republican chairman, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, and a 鈥測es鈥� from a Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. The approval comes as the parties are fighting bitterly over the policies of the Department of Homeland Security, leading to a that is now in its 34th day.
During his testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Mullin that he would be a steady hand Kristi Noem, Trump’s first DHS secretary. Mullin also signaled support for Trump鈥檚 immigration priorities, which are central to the funding standoff after the death of at least three American citizens at the hands of federal agents.
Mullin’s hearing was unusually combative and came close to going off the rails as he engaged in heated exchanges with some Democrats as well as Paul.
In addition to a lengthy exchange over Mullin’s failure to disclose what he characterized as a 鈥渃lassified鈥� congressional trip while a House member, Paul opened the hearing with a fiery statement challenging Mullin’s fitness to lead DHS.
Paul pointed to comments Mullin made after a funding fight, when he called Paul a 鈥渇reaking snake鈥� and said he understood why a neighbor had tackled Paul in a lawn care dispute. several years ago, and Paul suffered multiple broken ribs and later had surgeries he linked to the attack.
鈥淚 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?鈥� Paul said.
Mullin refused to back down.
鈥淔or you to say I鈥檓 a liar, sir, that鈥檚 not accurate,鈥� Mullin said.
Paul later said he would not vote for Mullin鈥檚 confirmation.
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鈥檚 security.鈥�
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Meg Kinnard can be reached at
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