Senate Committee Advances Trump DHS Nominee Kristi Noem, OMB Nominee Russ Vought

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted on Jan. 20 to advance two of President Donald Trump’s cabinet-level nominees, Kristi Noem for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary and Russ Vought for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director. The committee advanced Noem’s nomination on a 13-2 vote. Vought’s nomination advanced through the committee by an 8-7 vote. Noem and Vought both sat for questioning before the Republican-led Senate committee last week. The favorable votes by the committee now send Noem and Vought’s nominations to the Senate floor for a full vote. Noem Integral to Trump’s Border Agenda Noem’s speedy confirmation to the DHS role could prove instrumental in advancing Trump’s border security agenda, which was a key priority of his first administration and is a focus as he returns to the White House....