WASHINGTON D.C. (WKZO AM/FM) – U.S. Senator Gary Peters, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, was among those voting Thursday morning against Senator Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
In an 8 to 7 vote, the committee advanced Mullin’s nomination to the full Senate for approval. Committee chairman Rand Paul was the sole Republican to vote against advancing the nomination. Support from Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania allowed the nomination to move forward.
In a statement, Peters said, “I do not believe that Senator Mullin is the right person for the job in this challenging time. During his confirmation process, he has not been transparent about basic details of his personal background, which calls into question whether Congress and the public will be able to trust what he says in a crisis situation.
“He also lacks an understanding of many of the Department’s critical missions, including cybersecurity and counterterrorism – two missions that are increasingly important as threats rise due to the President’s war in Iran. In his hearing, Senator Mullin did not demonstrate a clear awareness of the challenges facing the Department, such as the Administration’s unwise cuts to funding and personnel in key areas, or how the chaos of the Administration’s prior actions has harmed communities across the country. He did not appear ready to make any significant changes to right the ship at the Department.”
The full Senate could vote on the nomination as early as next week.
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