Senate confirms Mullin as shutdown, SAVE America Act fights drag on

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The Senate confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., because the ninth Homeland Safety secretary, capping a dash to exchange embattled outgoing Secretary Kristi Noem.

It additionally caps off a 13-year profession in Congress that started within the Home and noticed Mullin rating a seat within the Senate in 2021 the place he turned the de facto bridge between each chambers, serving to to construct belief between the Home and Senate throughout final yr's push to go the "huge, stunning invoice." Forward of the vote he arrived flanked by his household, and was excited to forged his remaining vote on himself.

Mullin, who was picked by President Donald Trump earlier this month to guide the Division of Homeland Safety, was confirmed on a largely party-line vote. Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., joined practically each Republican to clinch his nomination.

Heinrich stated he bucked his celebration as a result of he has seen that Mullin — who co-chairs the Senate Legislative Department spending committee with him — "shouldn't be somebody who can merely be bullied into altering his views."

MULLIN'S CONFIRMATION SURVIVES KEY TEST VOTE AS DHS REMAINS SHUT DOWN

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Republican from Oklahoma, addresses reporters on the U.S. Capitol after being tapped as President Donald Trump's new nominee to guide DHS, March 5, 2026. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photos)

"And I sit up for having a secretary who doesn’t take their orders from Stephen Miller," Heinrich stated.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was the one Republican to vote in opposition to Mullin, citing their chilly relationship and Mullin’s previous feedback that his 2017 assault was "justified."

Mullin’s affirmation additionally noticed the shut of a whirlwind month during which Noem was reassigned after an explosive pair of hearings on Capitol Hill, in addition to the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, who have been fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers.

SCHUMER GAMBIT FAILS AS DHS SHUTDOWN HITS 36 DAYS AND AIRPORT LINES GROW

Secretary of Homeland Safety Kristi Noem testifies in a listening to in Washington in March 2026. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photos)

Nonetheless, Noem’s ousting and Mullin’s ascension have executed little to shift Senate Democrats from their place. They proceed to demand sweeping reforms to ICE and have thus far blocked funding to the company 5 occasions, together with a number of GOP makes an attempt to quickly prolong funding to DHS.

The trail to ending the shutdown appeared to develop into extra sophisticated over the weekend.

Either side started assembly for the primary time in the course of the shutdown, with Senate Majority Chief John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., characterizing the talks as "productive."

Nonetheless, Trump threw a wrench into negotiations Sunday night time, writing on Reality Social: "I don’t assume we should always make any cope with the Loopy, Nation Destroying, Radical Left Democrats until, and till, they vote with Republicans to go ‘THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.’"

GOP SENATOR’S GAMBIT EXPOSES FALSE DEM CLAIMS ABOUT SUPPORTING VOTER ID

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters earlier than boarding Air Pressure One at Palm Seaside Worldwide Airport on March 23, 2026 in West Palm Seaside, Florida. President Trump is touring to Tennessee earlier than returning to Washington. (Roberto Schmidt / Getty Photos)

"In different phrases, lump every little thing collectively as one, and VOTE!!! Kill the Filibuster, and keep in D.C. for Easter, if crucial," Trump stated.

That comes after Thune instructed to the president that Republicans might carve out ICE and Customs and Border Safety funding from a broader DHS package and as an alternative fund these businesses by way of funds reconciliation.

Canceling recess could also be a tough promote within the higher chamber, on condition that votes this previous weekend have been affected by absences. When requested if he would cancel the upcoming two-week break, Thune stated, "We'll see."

A cohort of Senate Republicans met with Trump forward of Mullin's affirmation vote. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., advised reporters after that the assembly went "very well."

When requested if Republicans had an answer to finish the closure, she stated, "We do."

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Nonetheless, Senate Democrats stay unified of their opposition to the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.

"We're prepared to fulfill with the White Home at this time to maintain speaking," Schumer stated. "In actual fact, we have been going to fulfill this morning with Tom Homan. However apparently the White Home pulled that assembly due to Donald Trump's mood tantrum. They're all scrambling round there within the White Home. They do not know what to do."