The Senate is set to hold votes over the weekend to accelerate the confirmation of President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. The vote is expected to take place on Saturday, after Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced that the Senate would stay over the weekend to push through the confirmation process if Democrats blocked voting efforts.
Noem was questioned by lawmakers on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee during her confirmation hearing earlier in the week. The Department of Homeland Security deals with national security and immigration issues, making Noem’s confirmation a priority for Trump as he focuses on the crisis at the southern border.
Several of Trump’s nominees remain unconfirmed after his first week in office, but Thune promised to continue working to get his team in place as quickly as possible. The Senate will meet on Saturday to hold a vote on Noem’s confirmation, and lawmakers are expected to stay over the weekend to push through the confirmation process.