Senate Confirms Nielsen as Homeland Security Secretary

The Senate confirmed Kirstjen Nielsen as secretary of homeland security Tuesday 62-37. Senate Homeland Security Committee ranking member Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member Mark Warner, D-Va., were among the Senate Democrats who joined with Senate Republicans to vote for Nielsen. Senate Homeland Security advanced Nielsen’s nomination in November (see 1711160029). Elaine Duke has worked as acting homeland security secretary since July 31, after former DHS Secretary John Kelly was named President Donald Trump’s chief of staff (see 1707310017).