[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 15 (Friday, January 24, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Nomination of Kristi Noem

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, over the next couple of days, the Senate 
will consider two more of the President's nominees: Kristi Noem to be 
Secretary of Homeland Security and Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of 
Defense.
  A former House Member and current Governor of the great State of 
South Dakota, Kristi brings both experience and commitment to her new 
role.
  One of the biggest challenges facing the Department of Homeland 
Security right now is securing our Nation's border. Four years of 
recordbreaking illegal immigration at our southern border has left our 
country vulnerable to a whole host of security concerns, from terrorist 
entries to cross-border criminal activity, like drug trafficking.
  Fixing this crisis and restoring respect for the rule of law is one 
of President Trump and Republicans' top priorities, and it is going to 
require a decisive and committed leader at the Department of Homeland 
Security. I believe Kristi has everything it takes to undertake this 
task.