Senate panel schedules hearing for Trump Homeland Security pick

President Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will finally get a confirmation hearing nearly a month after he officially nominated her for the position.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee announced Wednesday that it has scheduled a confirmation hearing for Kirstjen Nielsen for Nov. 8. Trump formally nominated Nielsen, his deputy chief of staff, at a ceremony on Oct. 12, urging the Senate to bypass politics and confirm her swiftly.

{mosads}

Nielsen, who worked at DHS under the George W. Bush administration, was serving as chief of staff to Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly when Trump abruptly made him White House chief of staff in July. 

Nielsen then moved with Kelly to the White House to remain as his chief of staff. Elaine Duke has served as acting Homeland Security secretary in the meantime, but the agency has lacked a confirmed leader for more than three months. 

In October, Trump cheered Nielsen as “a dedicated leader whose priority is always the safety and security of our country and our citizens, not politics or ideology.” 

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Homeland Security committee, praised Nielsen for her history of service and pledged to expedite her consideration when she was announced last month. Ranking member Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said she would work with Johnson to ensure that the committee’s process is “comprehensive and fair.”

The confirmation hearing is scheduled for the morning of Nov. 8.