Thune: Senate to Confirm Markwayne Mullin as Department of Homeland Security Secretary

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune's remarks below (as delivered):

"Mr. President, the other nominee that we'll be confirming this week is somebody we all know well: our colleague Markwayne Mullin.

"President Trump has nominated Markwayne to be the secretary of homeland security.

"It's a tough assignment - made all the more challenging right now by Democrats' having shut down DHS for five weeks.

"But we all know that Markwayne isn't afraid of a challenge.

"Far from it.

"As a young man, Markwayne left college to take over his family plumbing business.

"He grew that small enterprise into a large and successful business in the state of Oklahoma.

"Just a few weeks after being elected to the House, when the Oklahoma delegation was touring storm damage, Markwayne cut away from the other congressmen and climbed through debris to try to shut off water shooting through the wreckage.

"See a problem, take action to solve it - that's Markwayne.

"It's a big part of what drew him to public service.

"Mr. President, I think all of us are familiar with Markwayne Mullin's seemingly unlimited supply of energy.

"His workout class in the House gym is the stuff of legend.

"In the halls, you can find him bouncing a little pink ball to get out some of his energy.

"And that energy doesn't come from coffee - Markwayne does it all on decaf.

"No, Mr. President, Markwayne's energy is all him.

"But his strength, he'll tell you, isn't his own.

"Markwayne's strength comes from his wife - and childhood sweetheart - Christie and his rock-solid faith in God - both of which have made him an outstanding public servant and, most importantly, a loving father to their six children.

"Mr. President, heading up the Department of Homeland Security is a serious job.

"And I am proud to cast a vote for Markwayne Mullin, knowing with confidence that he is up to the work and to the task.

"I know how much I've depended on Markwayne as a colleague and friend during his three years here in the United States Senate.

"And I'm profoundly sorry to lose him.

"But the Senate's loss is the Department of Homeland Security's gain.

"I want to thank Markwayne for his service here in the Senate and wish him the very best as he continues to serve our country at DHS.

"And I hope whoever gets assigned to his security detail is ready to keep up."

Permalink: https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/3/thune-senate-to-confirm-markwayne-mullin-as-department-of-homeland-security-secretary