Senator Kim Statement on the Confirmation of Governor Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary

WASHINGTON D.C. –  Today, Senator Andy Kim released the following statement after voting to confirm Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota as United States Secretary of Homeland Security:

“As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I had several direct conversations with Governor Noem. While we disagreed strongly on a number of key points of Trump’s agenda, we both agreed that we could more effectively raise and try to address the pressing needs and concerns of communities and families in New Jersey if we communicate and engage directly with one another.

“Our country has a broken immigration system; I have been clear that further instilling fear in immigrant communities is not the path to fixing it. We need to secure our border and create an orderly process but should do so while governing with the values that have made the United States a beacon of hope across the world. I will work to hold Governor Noem and the entire Trump Administration accountable to this and will use my direct line of communication to her to get clarity over DHS’ actions and to lift up the pressing problems facing immigrant communities and families.

“In my role as the Ranking Member of the Disaster Management Subcommittee, we agreed to work directly together to prioritize the needs of helping Americans suffering and struggling in harm’s way. We cannot allow disaster response and relief to become politicized.

“Finally, the Department of Homeland Security was established to counter terrorist activities, after thousands of Americans, including many New Jerseyans, were murdered on September 11th. Having worked in national security and counter-terrorism my entire career, I believe we can work together to keep New Jersey and all Americans safe from threats.

“Because of this agreement to communicate and work together through the Homeland Security Committee, I voted to support Governor Noem’s nomination, but I won’t hesitate to use my oversight authority to stand up against actions that go against our Constitution and our values.”

Senator Kim serves as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Disaster Management, District of Columbia, and Census on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Additionally, Senator Kim is a member of the Senate Banking Committee; the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); and the Special Committee on Aging.

Before being elected to the U.S. Senate, Kim represented New Jersey’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House and was a career public servant working in national security and diplomacy at the White House, State Department, and Pentagon. Learn more about Senator Kim’s service on behalf of New Jersey here.