The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The committee voted 8-7 to advance the Republican senator’s nomination.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the lone Republican to vote against Mullin’s nomination.
However, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) allowed the nomination to move forward.
CBS News shared further:
The vote came after Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, appeared before the committee for a confirmation hearing a day earlier. The hearing immediately grew heated when Paul called out Mullin for allegedly calling him a “freaking snake,” along with saying he understood why a neighbor attacked Paul in 2017. The Kentucky Republican questioned whether “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.”
Mullin responded, telling Paul “we just don’t get along,” while accusing him of fighting with Republicans more frequently than working with them. But Mullin said differences of opinion won’t keep him from doing his job if confirmed as DHS secretary.
Leaving the hearing Wednesday, it remained unclear whether the committee vote would move forward amid confusion over an overseas work trip that Mullin said was classified. Paul suggested that he could delay the vote if the issue over the classified trip wasn’t resolved, but Mullin agreed to speak with senators in a secure location about the work he said he did while he was a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. After the meeting, GOP Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma said the matter involved a “nondisclosure dealing with a whistle blower.” He added that it was “mountain, molehill stuff.”
Despite the heated moments, many of the committee members praised Mullin during his confirmation hearing and highlighted his willingness to work across the aisle, including Fetterman. The Pennsylvania Democrat said Mullin has displayed “consistent kindness and professionalism.”
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) defended Mullin during the hearing, saying he’s a “good man” who talks “from the heart.”
“Do you pledge to support and defend the United States of America nearly as much as you would protect and defend your family?” Moreno asked.
“Without doubt, sir. Yes,” Mullin responded.
“So I’m going to ruin everything for the audience. You will be confirmed. You will have the job and you’re going to make this country safer and better. And for that, I thank you and thank your family for supporting you,” Moreno said.
Watch below:
🚨 BREAKING: After Rand Paul launches attacks on Markwayne Mullin for DHS, Sen. Bernie Moreno RUSHES to his defense
"You WILL be confirmed!"
"You're a good man…you talk from the heart. And that's okay. You are who you are!"
"You don't apologize for being yourself. And… pic.twitter.com/E4HoazEKtR
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 18, 2026
Backup here if needed:
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The Hill has more:
Fetterman said in a statement on Wednesday that he appreciated that President Trump heeded his call to fire current Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS. My aye [vote] is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security,” he said.
Paul said little at Thursday’s business meeting, but spent ample time Wednesday laying into Mullin, putting the beef between the two lawmakers on full display.
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