The Senate confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to be the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Monday night.

The vote was 54-45 largely along party lines, but Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich and John Fetterman voted to confirm him and Republican Sen. Rand Paul voted against his confirmation. Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego did not vote.

Secretary Kristi Noem will leave the department on March 31, and she will be headed to a new role as special envoy for the “Shield of the Americas.” Noem’s exit from the department came amid multiple controversies regarding ad spending and federal immigration enforcement.

Mullin could be taking over the department at a pivotal time, as it has faced a lapse in funding since mid-February over the Trump administration’s immigration tactics through ICE. As TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA fall under the DHS umbrella, many of those essential workers have been required to work without receiving a paycheck.

Reactions poured in over his confirmation, including in Congress.

“As a conservative warrior with a proven track record of supporting President Trump’s agenda, Markwayne Mullin will lead the Department of Homeland Security with dogged determination and zeal for enforcing our nation’s immigration laws,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said in a statement.

“At a time when the danger to American soil is heightened and Democrats continue to hold funding for this vital agency hostage, we need a strong hand at the helm more than ever. I have every confidence Markwayne is up to the task, and I look forward to working with him in this new role to protect and defend the homeland and support America First,” he added.

While Republicans have largely been pleased with Trump’s pick, Democrats have largely taken a sharply tone.

“After Kristi Noem’s disastrous time as Secretary of Homeland Security, we need a steady, level-headed leader who will focus on protecting our homeland while ensuring ICE officers follow the same standards as other law enforcement officials,” Sen. Jacky Rosen posted to X on Sunday afternoon.

“Markwayne Mullin has made clear his number one priority is pleasing Donald Trump, including by voting against paying TSA agents during this Republican shutdown. That’s unacceptable and it’s one of the reasons why I voted against him as Secretary of Homeland Security,” she continued.