Trump's DHS pick Mullin advances by one vote after Sen. Fetterman votes yes

Markwayne Mullin, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, advanced through committee thanks to Sen. John Fetterman.

WASHINGTON — A key Senate committee voted 8-7 on Thursday to advance President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The vote in the Senate Homeland Security Committee sends Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to the full Senate for consideration one day after a contentious confirmation hearing.

The committee is divided between eight Republicans and seven Democrats. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who chairs the committee, voted against Mullin after taking him to task for “anger issues” at his hearing one day earlier.

Add NBC News to GoogleTrump’s DHS nominee grilled by Senate as travelers face long TSA lines02:44“Senator Mullin tried to justify a violent attack on me. Now he wants to lead ICE and Border Patrol? You cannot restore law and order with someone who has an anger problem,” Paul said on X. “America deserves better.”

Without any Democratic support, the nomination would have stalled in committee. But Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., broke with other Democrats to vote for Mullin, ensuring that he will advance to the Senate floor, where he needs 51 votes for confirmation.