South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem will lead Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security. In a rare Saturday vote, the Senate confirmed Noem 59-34.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) suggested earlier in the week that they would stay over the weekend to push through confirmations should Democrats hold up the process during the week.
“Do we want a vote on these folks on Tuesday or vote on them on Friday, Saturday and Sunday? Because that’s what we’re going to do,” Thune declared after is colleagues across the aisle blocked a confirmation vote for John Ratcliffe, Trump’s pick to run the CIA. “This can be easy or this can be hard,” Thune continued.
The vote to invoke cloture on Noem’s confirmation – that is, to stop discussion and queue up the final vote – was 61 – 39 and came in at just shy of 10 p.m. Friday night. Thune sent a clear message that Senate Republicans intend to get President Trump’s nominees confirmed sooner rather than later – and that if Democrats want to try to delay that process, it will cost them their nights and weekends.
The Senate then quickly voted 67 – 29 to invoke cloture on the confirmation of Scott Bessent to lead the Treasury and then adjourned until noon on Monday, meaning that confirmation could take place shortly after.
