[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                      CONFIRMATION OF KRISTI NOEM

  Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, had I been present for rollcall vote No. 
17 of the 119th Congress--confirmation of Kristi Noem, of South Dakota, 
to be Secretary of Homeland Security--I would have voted nay. As a 
Senator who represents nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon, I am 
deeply disturbed by Ms. Noem's poor relationships with Tribal 
governments.
  In fact, Ms. Noem spread disinformation about Tribal communities in 
her home State which resulted in her banishment from lands held by nine 
different Tribes. Likewise, Ms. Noem has repeatedly peddled baseless 
claims about violent crime in several cities--to include my hometown, 
Portland, OR. Considering Donald Trump's chilling deployment of 
Homeland Security personnel to Portland and other cities in 2020, I am 
concerned by how Ms. Noem, with her prejudiced views, may implement 
similar orders in the coming years.
  Additionally, Ms. Noem, as Governor of South Dakota, mishandled the 
response to devastating floods in her State, to include delaying an 
emergency declaration, evacuation orders, and deployment of appropriate 
assets. As Oregon faces worsening storms, floods, and wildfires 
annually, I have no confidence in her ability to lead the Federal 
response to disasters and emergencies.
  Finally, she has fully endorsed controversial policies many of my 
constituents oppose, such as broad travel bans and militarizing the 
southern border. For all these reasons, I would have voted nay on Ms. 
Noem's confirmation.

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