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Senate Committee Advances Kristi Noem’s Nomination for DHS Secretary

A Senate committee has successfully recommended Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota as President Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), resulting in a bipartisan vote that sets the stage for a full Senate vote.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved Noem with a decisive 13-2 vote, making her one of the few nominees to receive such backing on the very first day of the Trump administration.

“Throughout the confirmation process, Governor Kristi Noem has demonstrated she is prepared to face the challenges of being DHS Secretary. I’m proud to support her nomination and commend the Committee for the bipartisan effort in advancing her nomination to the Senate floor, where she will be confirmed quickly,” said Senate Committee Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in a released statement.

Notably, Noem garnered support from several Democrats on the committee.

“During her confirmation hearing, I pressed Governor Noem to set aside partisan ideologies and to follow the facts when it comes to the threats our communities face — whether we’re discussing border security, combating foreign and domestic terrorism, or responding to increasingly severe natural disasters,” stated Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee.

Peters added, “Given her openness to collaborating in a bipartisan manner to tackle these pressing threats to our homeland security, I voted to advance her nomination out of committee and send it to the Senate floor for consideration.”

Before her tenure as governor, Noem served eight years in the U.S. Congress, where she built a record of legislative experience that she will likely draw upon if confirmed.

If confirmed, Noem will assume a crucial position within the Trump administration, especially as the president has vowed to initiate one of the most extensive mass deportation efforts in U.S. history.

“Securing our homeland is a serious, sacred trust that must be relentlessly pursued and can never be taken for granted,” Noem emphasized during her confirmation hearing.

She further asserted, “As a nation, we have the right and responsibility to secure our borders against those who would do us harm. We must establish a fair and lawful immigration system that is both efficient and effective and reflective of our values,” highlighting what she described as widespread support for the administration’s immigration policies.

Source
thehill.com