The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee March 19 voted 8-7 to advance Oklahoma senator Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to succeed Kristi Noem as secretary of the Dept. of Homeland Security. A confirmation vote on the Senate floor could happen as soon as the week of March 23, with Noem expected to depart the agency by March 31. Committee Chair Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Democrat senator John Fetterman (Pa.), crossed party lines, with Rand in opposition, and Fetterman in favor, of Mullin’s confirmation. Mullin, a Republican, took heat from both sides of the aisle during his March 18 confirmation hearing. Several lawmakers raised questions about Mullin’s temperament and were skeptical about his willingness to steer the agency in a different direction. Prior to the committee vote, ranking member Gary Peters (D-Mich.) said, “I’m very troubled by Sen.…