Republican senators defended Markwayne Mullin’s dealing with of his confirmation listening to for the Homeland Security Secretary position, which noticed him have interaction in a contentious backwards and forwards with the panel’s GOP chair.
The chair, Rand Paul, repeatedly implored Mullin to apologize for his previous feedback that he “understood completely” why Paul’s neighbor attacked him in 2017. Mullin declined to apologize, as an alternative acknowledging he was a “very blunt” particular person and suggesting the pair put aside their variations.
GOP Sen. Katie Britt leapt to Mullin’s protection whereas addressing reporters, insisting the listening to ought to give attention to defending the American homeland.
Asked by NCS whether or not he ought to have apologized, Britt replied, “This is about the homeland. This is about protecting our homeland,” earlier than happening to assault the Biden administration’s dealing with of the border.
“We know right now that people in our country are potentially at stake because of that failed leadership. Today’s hearing should be about securing our border, making sure that we continue to protect our homeland,”Britt mentioned.
She praised him as an “incredible” man. “He has tenacity, he has heart and he has a vision.”
Sen. Rick Scott remarked Mullin and Paul had been each “passionate people.”
Pressed on whether or not Mullin ought to have apologized, Scott responded, “I think up here, you’ve always got to be careful. We’ve got to argue over policy rather than personalities. And so I think that’s what ever — we ought to be doing up here.”
The Florida senator mentioned he can be “surprised” if Mullin’s nomination didn’t advance out of the committee, even with Paul’s distaste for Mullin.
Republicans at present have a one-vote margin on the panel. Even if Mullin loses Paul’s vote, the nomination might nonetheless advance if Republicans can earn the vote of a Democrat on the committee. That Democrat could be Sen. John Fetterman.
Fetterman advised NCS on Wednesday he’d have an “open mind” about Mullin’s nomination, and famous he’s solely mentioned optimistic issues about Mullin.