Senate panel approves Trump Homeland Security pick

A Senate committee on Tuesday approved President Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a bipartisan vote, setting her up for a vote before the full Senate. 

Lawmakers on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 11-4 to approve the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen late Tuesday afternoon.

{mosads}Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) was forced to delay the vote last week after Nielsen received nearly 200 follow-up questions from lawmakers after her confirmation hearing last Wednesday. 

If confirmed, Nielsen, who is currently Trump’s deputy chief of staff, will lead the agency charged with protecting America’s borders, guarding against cybersecurity threats and spearheading disaster relief efforts.

Nielsen is a cybersecurity expert and former Homeland Security official who is widely cheered in Republican circles for her experience. However, Democrats have sounded alarm about her lack of leadership experience, citing the challenge of managing a sprawling agency with roughly 240,000 employees. 

The department has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since the end of July, when John Kelly moved to the White House to serve as Trump’s chief of staff. Nielsen, who at the time was serving under Kelly at DHS, moved with him to the White House. 

“Our nation is facing constantly-evolving threats, making it all the more important for strong, permanent leadership at DHS. Ms. Nielsen’s prior experience at the department, background in cybersecurity, and tenure with General Kelly will serve her well in this challenging position,” Johnson said in a statement Tuesday evening. “I hope the Senate will take up Ms. Nielsen’s nomination as quickly as possible.” 

Elaine Duke has served as acting secretary of Homeland Security since Kelly moved to the White House.

Trump nominated Nielsen to serve in the top post in mid-October.