DeKalb GA News

Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, is poised to become the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following a Senate vote scheduled for Saturday. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced her nomination with a 13-2 vote, leaving only the full Senate confirmation pending.

Chad Pergram reported via Twitter that after breaking a filibuster on her nomination, the Senate will reconvene at 9:30 am ET on Saturday to vote at 11:30 am ET. "Senate out now until 9:30 am et Saturday. After breaking the filibuster tonight on the nomination of Kristi Noem to be DHS Secretary, Senate will vote to confirm her tomorrow at 11:30 am et," he stated.

Noem's nomination follows Pete Hegseth's confirmation as Secretary of Defense. She is expected to receive bipartisan support in the Senate, unlike Hegseth’s narrower approval margin. Her appointment would mark her as the fourth cabinet member under President Donald Trump, joining Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and incoming Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

According to FOX News, "The nomination of Gov. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., to be the next Homeland Security secretary defeated a key hurdle in the confirmation process on Friday night, advancing to a final vote later this weekend." They noted that if confirmed, she would replace Alejandro Mayorkas as DHS chief.

Votes for other nominees such as Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent and Transportation Secretary pick Sean Duffy are expected soon after Noem’s confirmation.

Senator Markwayne Mullin tweeted about the timeline for upcoming votes: "We expect the @PeteHegseth vote at 9pm ET, then we’ll start the 30-hour debate clock on @KristiNoem to likely confirm her for DHS very early on Sunday morning. We must confirm the cabinet ASAP!"

Noem’s confirmation appears likely given bipartisan support and minimal opposition from committee Democrats.