Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) is pushing for a “strong vote'' on President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, Gov. Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota), in her first week in office. I'm looking for it.''
talk to Breitbart News DailyPaul, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, which is responsible for confirming Noem and Russell Vought of the Office of Management and Budget, said both men are calling for a quick change of direction.
“Yes, the main appointment will be Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, but Russ Vought, who will be OMB director, is also important,” he said, adding that he has already spoken to both men.
“We plan to hold the earliest possible nomination hearings next week, and we intend to move forward with the vote during the first week in office. There can be no vote until the president is sworn in and then the president formally announces the nomination.” So that's the earliest possible date,” he said, specifying it as “one week after the inauguration.”
“The reason I'm saying they have to allow it is because it could happen eventually, and it could take a week or two if they object. If they don't object and say the country should put someone in charge of these things right away, like a secretary of state at the Department of Homeland Security, then in many cases they can do that with consent.” he stated.
On December 12, 2024, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security, speaks with Senate Minority Leader John Thune (R- SD) to leave the meeting. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“We allowed it early on under the Biden administration. They had two or three of their nominees confirmed in the first week. So our hope is that Democrats will allow this. “I think it will happen,” he said, adding that not allowing it in the first week would be considered unsafe.
“But we're hopeful that we'll get some in the first week,” Paul continued, before getting more specific about Noem.
“I've known her since she was in Congress. I've known her as a governor,” he began, adding that the governor “is very capable and would make a good secretary.” He explained that he believed that.
“I think she senses and understands President Trump's desire, and the desire of most of us, to have a secure southern border. So she knows that's his priority. I think she knows that's our priority,'' he said, noting that the first hearing after Noem will be a hearing called Remain in Mexico.
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“And we're going to discuss how we believe current immigration law gives the president discretion to block immigration, even though no legislation has been passed.” added.
The senator said he believes Democrats are likely to “agree or allow Kristi Noem to vote, hopefully in the first week.”
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