The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a confirmation hearing for Kristi Noem for secretary of Homeland Security on Jan. 17, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not yet scheduled a meeting to vote on Noem’s nomination. Noem must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before her nomination can be put up for a confirmation vote before the full Senate. 

President Donald Trump (R) nominated Noem on Nov. 12, 2024. Trump said of Noem’s nomination, “Kristi has been very strong on Border Security. She was the first Governor to send National Guard Soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden Border Crisis, and they were sent a total of eight times. She will work closely with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan to secure the Border, and will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries.”

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is chaired by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) is the ranking Democratic member. To watch the full hearing, click here.

This was the fourth day of confirmation hearings for incoming President Trump’s Cabinet nominees. The first hearing was held on Jan. 14, 2025, for secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth. To read more about the confirmation process for Trump’s Cabinet nominees, click here.