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Democratic Senators Cross Party Lines To Side With Trump

The 7 Democrats Who Voted for Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary

Seven Democratic senators crossed party lines to confirm South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a Republican, as the new Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS). This decision positions her to lead an agency critical to former President Trump’s plans for stricter immigration enforcement during his second term.

Noem’s nomination sailed through the Senate with a 59-34 vote, facing relatively little opposition compared to other Trump nominees. For instance, Vice President Vance had to cast a tie-breaking vote just days earlier to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.

Here are the seven Democratic senators who voted in favor of Noem’s confirmation:

  • Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.)
  • Sen. Maggie Hassan (N.H.)
  • Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.)
  • Sen. Andy Kim (N.J.)
  • Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.)
  • Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.)
  • Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.)

Senator Andy Kim from New Jersey acknowledged his disagreements with Noem but highlighted the importance of working together. “I had several direct conversations with Governor Noem. While we disagreed strongly on several aspects of Trump’s agenda, we both agreed that we could better address the pressing needs of families and communities in New Jersey by maintaining direct communication and engagement,” Kim said in a statement on Saturday.

Senator Gary Peters, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee, explained his vote as a commitment to bipartisan cooperation. “Given her openness to working on a bipartisan basis to address these and other threats to our homeland security, I voted to advance her nomination out of committee and send it to the Senate floor for consideration,” Peters said.

Meanwhile, seven senators were absent for the vote: Independent Sen. Angus King (Maine), and Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Tina Smith (Minn.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.), Ron Wyden (Ore.), as well as Republican Sen. Jerry Moran (Kan.).

Noem’s relatively smooth confirmation reflects her ability to gain bipartisan support and underscores the importance of collaboration in tackling national security challenges, despite the divisive political environment.


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