Mullin’s DHS is here
The Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin as DHS secretary as Republicans and the White House edge toward a possible deal to end the shutdown.
TODAY IN CONGRESS
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Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) is heading to the Cabinet.
Less than three weeks after President Donald Trump fired Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, the Senate confirmed one of its own to replace her, voting 54–45—including Mullin’s own vote—to make him the administration’s newest top Trump official. He is expected to take over the Department of Homeland Security next week.
Most Democrats opposed the nomination, arguing Mullin lacks the temperament and experience for the job and would wield limited independent authority with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller—the architect of Trump’s hardline immigration agenda—still central to decision-making.
Mullin has signaled a more process-disciplined, less headline-driven DHS—pledging guardrails like requiring judicial warrants for certain enforcement actions and rolling back Noem’s contract micromanagement—while still advancing the administration’s broader immigration crackdown.
Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), who voted to advance Mullin’s nomination over the weekend, were the only Democrats to support his confirmation. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who chairs the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, was the lone Republican in opposition, a reflection of his long-running personal and political friction with Mullin.
The leadership shakeup comes as the DHS shutdown stretches into Day 38, the third-longest funding lapse in U.S. history.
Hill Democrats have refused to approve full-year DHS funding unless the White House agrees to reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the killing of two protesters in Minneapolis earlier this year. At the same time, they have repeatedly attempted to pass funding for non-ICE and non-CBP components of the department while negotiations continue.
Republicans are increasingly searching for an off-ramp as airport security lines lengthen, public pressure builds and a two-week recess for Easter and Passover looms.
Trump has so far rejected Democrats’ proposal, instead demanding Senate passage of the SAVE America Act, elimination of the filibuster and cancellation of the April recess—none of which has serious traction on Capitol Hill.
Still, there were signs of movement after a group of Senate Republicans returned from a White House meeting with Trump on Monday night expressing cautious optimism about resolving the impasse this week. While Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) offered few details, sources say the president appeared more open to Democrats’ framework.
One possible path: Republicans could use reconciliation to fund immigration enforcement and other GOP priorities with a simple majority, sidestepping the 60-vote hurdle.
Democrats say any deal will hinge on the fine print, and most are withholding judgment until they see it. But after weeks of gridlock, even a flicker of progress is something.
HAPPENINGS
All times Eastern.
The House is in at noon and will vote at 6:30 p.m. on suspension bills.
The Senate is in at noon and will recess from 1–2:15 p.m. for weekly policy lunches and leadership press conferences. The Senate will vote at 2:15 p.m. to confirm Colin McDonald to be an Assistant Attorney General. Votes are expected in relation to the SAVE America Act and an Iran War Powers resolution during Tuesday’s session.
The House Armed Services Committee will hold a closed hearing at 9:30 a.m. to examine low-cost munitions, immediately followed by an open hearing.
The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights will hold hearings at 10:15 a.m. to examine Arctic Frost.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing at 10:30 a.m. to examine arms control and the transformation of international security functions at the State Department.
The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity will hold a hearing at 2:30 p.m. on the Department of Defense's enterprise security and information technology operations for networks and systems.
The House Rules Committee will meet at 4 p.m. to prepare four bills on homeland security funding, foreign policy retaliation tools, and D.C. public safety and cleanup efforts for floor consideration this week.
President Trump will participate in Mullin’s swearing-in ceremony at 1:30 p.m. in the Oval Office, followed by policy meetings at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and signing time at 5 p.m.
First Lady Melania Trump will deliver opening remarks at 10 a.m. at the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit at the State Department.
IN THE KNOW
— Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is urging Congress to haul Jeff Bezos before lawmakers over reported plans to invest billions in automation that could replace millions of workers, calling for a public hearing on the impact of AI and robotics on the working class. In a letter to Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Sanders warned that up to 30% of U.S. jobs could be wiped out by AI and pressed Bezos to explain what happens to displaced workers’ wages, health care and retirement security.
— Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced a bipartisan bill that would require major social media platforms to allow third-party safety tools to monitor children’s accounts and alert parents to potentially dangerous activity. The proposal, known as “Sammy’s Law,” aims to give families more oversight as concerns grow about online risks ranging from exploitation to mental health harms. (Sammy’s Law was named after 16-year-old Sammy Chapman, who was approached by a drug dealer through social media. The dealer delivered drugs laced with a lethal dose of opioid fentanyl to his home.)
— Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) pressed NVIDIA over its $20 billion deal with AI chip startup Groq, questioning whether the arrangement amounts to a de facto acquisition designed to sidestep antitrust review. The lawmakers warn that the deal could further entrench NVIDIA’s dominance in the AI chip market and are demanding answers from CEO Jensen Huang by April 3.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
“American aviation is near collapse” by David A. Graham: “Fatal crashes, overstressed controllers, and endless security lines reveal a system teetering on the brink of failure.”
“Ads are popping up on the fridge and it isn’t going over well” by Jiyoung Sohn: “Some Americans have been taken aback by marketing messages on the door.”
“Is there a better way to share the bed?” by Amelia Jerden: “Tips, temperature-control devices, and dual-firmness mattresses to make life with a less compatible bed partner bearable.”