Senator Kim to Hold Mullin Accountable to Americans’ Demands at Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) voted against Senator Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and against the deep rot of lawlessness and corruption within the Trump administration.

Senator Kim has directly pressed Mullin about the critical reforms Americans need to see at the agency. With his confirmation, Senator Kim is committed to holding Secretary Mullin accountable to the promises he made to the American people, including visiting Roxbury, New Jersey, where DHS is trying to build a detention facility against the local community’s wishes, and reversing Kristi Noem’s needless red tape that held up critical FEMA assistance.

WATCH EACH PROMISE SENATOR MULLIN MADE TO SENATOR KIM DURING HIS CONFIRMATION HEARING

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As he mentioned in the hearing, Senator Kim will continue pressing to ensure Mullin:

• Immediately reverses Secretary Noem’s disastrous $100,000 approval policy – Senator Mullin agreed he would “absolutely” commit to revoking the policy. WATCH MORE HERE

1. Senator Kim has led the push to revoke this needless red tape that has left disaster-impacted communities without crucial funding they need to rebuild.

1. This month, Senator Kim and HSGAC Ranking Member Peters released a report that found the review policy has created severe delays in delivering FEMA disaster assistance, specifically identifying at least 1,034 FEMA contracts, grants, or disaster assistance awards that have been delayed or left pending.

• Opposes the elimination of FEMA – Having concerns about severe cuts to FEMA staff and President Trump’s calls to eliminate FEMA, Senator Kim pressed on future plans for this crucial agency. Senator Mullin stated, “I think it needs to be restructured, not eliminated.”

1. Senator Kim has long worked to deliver bipartisan reforms to FEMA that ensures the agency can fulfill its mission to deliver vital resources and support to Americans in their time of greatest need.

• Nominates a FEMA administrator that has real experience in emergency management – Senator Mullin said “absolutely” when asked about putting a nominee before the committee.

• Travels to Roxbury, New Jersey to speak directly to local leaders and hear their opposition to DHS building a detention facility in their community – Senator Mullin agreed it is important to talk to local officials and committed to talking to the local Roxbury Mayor and traveling to Roxbury.

1. Senator Kim pointed out that no ICE officials spoke to the local Mayor or local law enforcement to get a local assessment prior to purchasing a warehouse facility the size of eight football fields to house over 1,500 detainees.

1. Last month, Senator Kim introduced legislation to end President Trump’s warehouse detention in New Jersey and nationwide by prohibiting DHS from using taxpayer dollars to purchase warehouses or use warehouses to detain non-citizens. This bill built off of previous work by Senator Kim to stop the opening of the warehouse in Roxbury specifically.

• Ensures dignified and humane conditions at detention facilities – After Senator Kim witnessed unacceptable conditions of detainees at Delaney Hall in New Jersey firsthand, he pressed Senator Mullin on ensuring direct oversight by DHS to ensure dignified conditions, including allowing oversight by congress. Senator Mullin responded that, “everyone deserves to be treated by a dignified hand.”

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