Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., overcame a critical Senate test vote Sunday, positioning him closer to confirmation as the next Homeland Security secretary. The largely party-line vote of 54 to 37 came as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown entered its 36th day, longest in U.S. history.
Mullin, nominated by President Donald Trump, faces one final confirmation vote Monday. His potential confirmation follows the controversial ousting of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, whose tenure ended after contentious hearings and the deaths of two individuals during immigration operations in Minnesota.
Democrats Hold Firm on ICE Reforms
Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have repeatedly blocked DHS funding, demanding significant reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Among their key demands is requiring ICE agents to obtain judicial warrants rather than administrative warrants for searches. During his confirmation hearing, Mullin appeared open to judicial warrant requirements, stating, 'Judicial warrants will be used to go into houses, into places of businesses, unless we're pursuing someone that enters in that place.'
"I’m not perfect. I don’t claim to be perfect," Mullin said during his hearing. "But mistakes, if you own them, you can learn from them and you can move ahead."
Gridlock Persists Amid Funding Standoff
The DHS shutdown continues to disrupt operations, including airport security and border enforcement. Senate Republicans accuse Democrats of leveraging the shutdown for political gain. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., criticized the stalemate, stating, 'It's not politically good for anybody to have literally tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of people out of work and important functions of our government not being carried out.'
Whether Mullin’s confirmation will break the deadlock remains uncertain, as both parties remain deeply divided over ICE reforms and funding priorities.