The Oklahoma Republican comes to the helm in the midst of a shutdown that has left some 100,000 of the department's more than a quarter-million employees working without pay.

Senators advanced Mullin’s nomination on Sunday during a rare weekend session on a largely party-line vote, and confirmation is expected late Monday.

It’s a lightning quick confirmation by Senate standards. Mullin’s nomination was sent to the Senate roughly two weeks ago and he advanced late last week out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee despite sparring with Sen.

President Trump tapped Mullin, a first-term Oklahoma GOP senator, to replace Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary earlier this month.

The Senate voted to confirm Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem as DHS is shutdown leading to airport delays and lines.

In a 54 to 37 vote, two Democrats voted with all Republicans in attendance to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination. A final confirmation vote is expected in the coming days.

The Republican senator won confirmation in the Senate to replace Kristi Noem as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Senate is holding a confirmation vote on Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s (R-OK) appointment as Department of Homeland Security head. The vote is slated to be held at 7:30 p.m. Mullin only needs a simple majority to be confirmed,