Republican Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin on Thursday morning took a leap towards becoming the next Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) during a turbulent time for the agency.

The Oklahoman’s nomination passed the Homeland Security and Government Affairs committee vote 8 to 7, with Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul voting down President Trump’s nominee and Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman voting in support. The vote comes on the department’s 34th day of a partial shutdown as airports across the nation slow amid lack of funding for the Transportation Security Agency. 

“In January, I called on the president to fire Noem—and he did. I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open-mind,” Fetterman posted to social media following the vote. “We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS. My AYE is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security.”

The committee hearing and vote are the most expedited in history for a DHS nominee, as Paul remained committed to giving Mullin a quick path to receive approval from his colleagues. Still, Paul slammed Mullin on Wednesday over his refusal to apologize for his comments about an attack Paul faced from his neighbor in 2017 that left him severely injured.

“We’re in the midst I think of a crisis where there needs to be more direction from the top and a guy who brawls, a guy who can’t even say he’s sorry about wishing violence on me, really applauding the attack on me,” Paul told reporters Wednesday, “I don’t know how he could from my point of view be a leader of ICE or border patrol.”

WATCH: Sen. Katie Britt praises DHS nominee Sen. Markwayne Mullin as the “right man for the right time,” saying he’ll secure the border and protect the homeland.

Britt had been expected to introduce Mullin at the hearing today before Sen. Rand Paul reportedly blocked her from… https://t.co/MB8s3wp1B1 pic.twitter.com/00qr3xguSu

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 18, 2026

Mullin’s nomination now moves to the Senate, where he could face a confirmation vote as soon as next week. The ongoing debate on the Senate floor over the SAVE America Act will be paused to allow lawmakers to vote on advancing Mullin.

The senator will be walking headfirst into a struggling DHS if confirmed. Democrats have withheld their votes to fund the department for weeks as they continually demand sweeping reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).

The nominee gave support for one of the Democrats’ key asks on Wednesday, saying he would enforce the law to require DHS to use judicial warrants to enter private property unless they are in an active chase and someone enters a home.

Mullin also said if he were to front the Department, he would not have federal law enforcement agents near sensitive locations, such as polling sites, unless there was an active threat.

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Andi Shae Napier

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