Mullin Courts GOP for ICE, CBP Funds as DHS Chief Faces First Hill Test

5 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 15

Wednesday’s meeting with the Republican Governance Group put DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin back in the center of talks on funding ICE and CBP through a reconciliation bill.
That outreach comes as Mullin tries to repair DHS’s strained ties with Congress after Kristi Noem’s tenure, with senators saying he still needs to improve his relationship with key committee leaders.
House Republicans say communication has improved under Mullin — Andrew Garbarino and Mark Amodei cited regular briefings and a less siloed flow of information from DHS headquarters.
Senate Democrats remain wary after Mullin’s shutdown-era attacks on Chuck Schumer, and Gary Peters said it is still too early to judge his leadership.
A postponed House Appropriations appearance later this month will give lawmakers their first public chance to test whether the former lawmaker can turn Capitol Hill goodwill into durable DHS support.

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