Senator Coons announces opposition to Mullin nomination

WILMINGTON, Del. - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement announcing he would be voting "no" on Senator Markwayne Mullin's nomination to be the next head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

"The Department of Homeland Security is facing a severe crisis. ICE's and CBP's reckless and cruel practices have wreaked havoc on many communities and resulted in the detention and death of American citizens, FEMA has been disastrously mismanaged, and agents who should be working to protect us from terrorism have been reassigned to rounding up law-abiding immigrants. President Trump's Department of Homeland Security has made Americans less secure.

"Over the last few years, I have had the chance to get to know Senator Mullin. We've been able to travel together, and he and I have worked across the aisle on issues where we share common ground. I hope that if he is confirmed, we are able to continue that spirit of bipartisan collaboration.

"However, DHS needs a foundational shift, and I am unsure if Senator Mullin - or any Trump-appointed nominee - is capable of carrying it out. I consider every cabinet nominee with the same criteria: qualifications, independence, and vision for the department. Unfortunately, Senator Mullin is not willing to commit to the kind of independence and reforms that DHS needs, and I will be voting no on this nomination."