The Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in a 59-34 vote on Saturday, with several Democrats joining Republicans to approve the official tasked with carrying out President Donald Trump’s deportation plans.
The Senate worked into the weekend to push through more of Trump’s nominees, including the South Dakota governor to head DHS. Though the position oversees one of the most expansive government agencies and is likely the most important to accomplishing Trump’s controversial immigration agenda, Noem received bipartisan support both in passing through committee approval and the wider caucus.
Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Ruben Gallego were the only Democrats to vote against her on the Homeland committee. Ahead of Saturday’s vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said comprehensive reform was the only way to resolve the immigration system and that he would vote against Noem.