Paul, Rand: So the notice on March 11, 2026, the committee will consider the nomination of one nominee. I note the presence of a quorum, recognize the minority ranking member, Senator Peters.
Peters, Gary C.: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Department of Homeland Security needs a leader who can restore the trust that DHS has broken with the American people and with this committee. At its confirmation hearing yesterday, we saw that, unfortunately, Senator Mullen is not up to that challenge. When I heard President Trump would be nominating Senator Mullen, I kept an open mind. However, throughout the nomination process, he has failed to be forthright and transparent. Senator Mullen also showed that he doesn't have the experience or the temperament to lead this critical department. I'm very troubled by Senator Mullen's willingness to condone political violence and the message that that sends across DHS. And we're not talking about an isolated lapse in judgment. After Senator Mullen attempted to physically fight a witness at a Senate hearing in 2023, the bipartisan Senate Ethics Committee took a closer look at his conduct before and after that incident. Not only did the members of this committee find his actions at the hearing were improper, in a letter admonishing Senator Mullen, they wrote, and I quote from their letter, further, when offered multiple, multiple public opportunities to clarify the intent of your conduct, you declined to uphold the Senate standard relative to your actions and advocated physical violence as a means to resolve political disagreement, end of quote. That's from the Ethics Committee from the U.S. Senate. There will be no shortage of political disagreements facing the next DHS secretary. The department and the American people deserve a leader who is steady and proven under pressure, not just someone better than the very low bar set by his predecessor. I'll be voting no.
Paul, Rand: Does anybody wish to say anything on the Republican side or otherwise? Okay, if not, the committee will now proceed to the consideration of Mark Wayne Mullen to be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Clerk: Senator Johnson?
Johnson, Ron: Aye
Clerk: Senator Lankford?
Lankford, James: Aye
Clerk: Senator Scott?
Scott, Rick: Aye.
Clerk: Senator Hawley?
Hawley, Josh: Aye.
Clerk: Senator Moreno?
Moreno, Bernie: Aye.
Clerk: Senator Ernst?
Ernst, Joni: Aye.
Clerk: Senator Moody?
Moody, Ashley: Aye.
Clerk: Senator Peters?
Peters, Gary C.: No.
Clerk: Senator Hassan?
Hassan, Margaret Wood: No.
Clerk: Senator Blumenthal?
Blumenthal, Richard: No.
Clerk: Senator Fetterman?
Fetterman, John: Aye.
Clerk: Senator Kim?
Kim, Andy: No.
Clerk: Senator Gallego?
Gallego, Ruben: No.
Clerk: Senator Slotkin?
Slotkin, Elissa: No.
Clerk: Senator Paul?
Paul, Rand: No.
Clerk: Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yeas are 8, the nays are 7. On this vote, the yeas are 8, the nays are 7, and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.