WASHINGTON, D.C. (WRN) — Wisconsin’s U.S. senators split along party lines on the vote to confirm Markwayne Mullin as Homeland Security secretary.
The Oklahoma Republican has pledged to be a different leader than his controversial predecessor, Kristi Noem. Mullin was confirmed 54-45 in a Monday evening vote. Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson joined other Senate Republicans and two Democrats to confirm Mullin, while Democrat Tammy Baldwin voted against him.
Neither senator released a statement following the vote, but Johnson had previously praised Mullin, while Baldwin had expressed skepticism, citing Mullin’s defense of Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s tactics during the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown and defense of federal agents who fatally shot two Minneapolis residents earlier this year.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote against Mullin’s confirmation.