The U.S. Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin to head up the U.S. Department of Homeland Security following the exit of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
Mullin, who previously served as both a U.S. senator and U.S. representative for Oklahoma, was approved in a partisan vote of 54-45 on Tuesday, March 24, and was sworn in by President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Mullin said his first priority would be to restore funding to the department.
“As the Secretary of Homeland Security, I look forward to continuing President Trump’s mission to safeguard the American people and defend the homeland,” Mullin said. “My first priority is to get the Department funded so the incredible patriots that support our 22 critical agencies receive a paycheck and can continue their critical work of keeping our nation safe. DHS is bigger than any political party. It’s time to end the partisan bickering that threatens our national security and put the American people first.”
Prior to elected office, Mullin was a businessman, running several businesses including Mullin Plumbing, his family’s business. Mullin was able to expand the plumbing business to become one of the largest service companies in the region, while running companies ranging from Mullin Environmental to Rowan’s Steakhouse.
Mullin is also an undefeated Mixed Martial Arts fighter with a professional record of 5-0, and has been inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame.
U.S. Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY), chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security applauded Mullin’s approval.
“As a former House colleague of his, I am confident he will do an excellent job charting a renewed path forward for the department,” Garbarino said. “As a lifelong New Yorker, the mission of DHS is personal for me and my district… as America faces a resurgence in threats while preparing to host major international events in the coming months, including the World Cup, I urge my Democrat colleagues to end their miscalculated and reckless shutdown of the department, which is putting American lives and livelihoods at stake. Voting to fully fund DHS, as House Republicans have done numerous times this year, is essential to meeting today’s threat landscape and setting Secretary Mullin up for success on behalf of the American people.”