A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
President Trump has a new secretary of Homeland Security.
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JAMES LANKFORD: On this vote, the ayes are 54. The nays are 45. The nomination of Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to be secretary of Homeland Security is confirmed.
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MARTÍNEZ: Senators confirmed Mullin to take charge of an agency wrestling with a shutdown for more than a month. Here's NPR's Elena Moore.
ELENA MOORE, BYLINE: It's been a busy few weeks for Markwayne Mullin. Just days into March, the first-term Republican senator was tapped to replace Kristi Noem as secretary of DHS. Speaking to reporters that day, he said this.
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MARKWAYNE MULLIN: I am super excited about this opportunity. It came at a - at not a complete surprise, but it came at a little bit of surprise for us.
MOORE: Mullin sped through the confirmation process, but not without some bumps along the way. During his confirmation hearing last week, Mullin faced some of the strongest pushback from a member of his own party. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky criticized Mullin for once challenging a witness to a fight during a 2023 congressional hearing. Paul questioned Mullin's temperament.
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RAND PAUL: Explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and Border Patrol agents.
MOORE: Mullin later responded and said this.
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MULLIN: I can have difference of opinions with everybody in this room. But as secretary of Homeland, I'll be protecting everybody.
MOORE: Now that he's confirmed, Mullin faces a fresh set of challenges. Congress is scheduled to go on recess at the end of the week, but party leaders remain at odds over how to end the DHS shutdown. Trump is also pressuring lawmakers to prioritize passing the SAVE America Act, a bill that would require proof of citizenship to vote.
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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Don't worry about Easter, going home. In fact, make this one for Jesus.
MOORE: But Trump's voting bill could complicate talks to fund DHS. If lawmakers go on recess without a deal, Mullin may be taking the reins at a department where nearly half its workers aren't getting paid. Elena Moore, NPR News.
(SOUNDBITE OF LUNGFISH'S "NECROPHONES") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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