[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 60 (Monday, April 8, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Resignation of Kirstjen Nielsen

  Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, we learned yesterday that Secretary 
Kirstjen Nielsen was stepping down from her position as Secretary of 
the Department of Homeland Security. I just got off the phone with her 
and thanked her for her service.
  When the Department was first established more than a decade and a 
half ago, we knew that this position would be a very tough one, 
especially in the aftermath of 9/11--the terrible terrorist attacks. We 
knew that protecting the American people from the growing threat of 
terrorism was job No. 1. The truth is that this job has only gotten 
tougher as time has gone by. While counterterrorism remains a central 
focus for the DHS, the number of missions it is responsible for, both 
on the ground and in cyber space, has multiplied to include a myriad of 
natural and manmade threats.
  Since Secretary Nielsen has taken this job, she has led the 
Department's response through flooding and wildfires, foreign attempts 
to infiltrate our election infrastructure, and the growing humanitarian 
crisis we continue to see unfold along the southern border.
  Above all, Secretary Nielsen has been a fierce advocate for the men 
and women at the Department who carry out these diverse missions on a 
daily basis. With more than 240,000 DHS employees around the world--
many of them in Texas--keeping them mission-ready is one of the most 
important responsibilities the Secretary has, and it is one she has 
taken very seriously.
  I have had the opportunity to work closely with the Secretary on a 
number of issues but in particular on attempting to find commonsense 
reforms to secure our border and close loopholes that are being 
exploited in our immigration system. I have been consistently impressed 
by her deep knowledge of the issues and of her steadfast commitment to 
finding solutions.
  America is better off for her service, and I hope we will continue to 
find good people like the Secretary who will be willing to contribute 
their service to the betterment of our country. I thank her, and I wish 
her well in the next chapter of her life.