by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:45 AM ET, Wed March 25, 2026
Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) was confirmed by the Senate as the Department of Homeland Security’s Secretary on Monday, March 23, a confirmation the travel industry appears happy to support.
According to the Associated Press, Mullin, Trump’s pick for the position, replaces former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who served for a little over a year in the position. She grew increasingly under fire for several issues, most importantly concerns about the mismanagement of ICE and their increasing violence towards Americans, which led to loss of life.
The Senate confirmed Mullin 54-45, on practically a party-line vote, meaning most Democrats did not vote to confirm him, while most Republicans did. Video clips of his confirmation hearing circulated widely online after a visibly combative argument with the Republican Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee Senator Rand Paul (R-KY).
Mullin is a mixed martial arts champion, having worked in the business prior to his career in politics, as well as in the plumbing industry. He is a member of the Cherokee Nation and was the second in American history to become a senator.
The Travel Industry Reacts
Several industry leaders and associations have spoken about the new confirmation, and have been largely positive. Yet one thread connects them all: they all hope Mullin will help end the partial government shutdown that has beleaguered the TSA and the wider travel industry for weeks.
Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association had urged a swift confirmation hearing prior to his confirmation.
Rosanna Maietta, President & CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), congratulated Mullin on his confirmation, saying in part, “The travel sector relies heavily on DHS and several of its subagencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, to ensure safe and efficient travel across the country. With his confirmation now complete, it is critical that our elected leaders act swiftly to ensure TSA personnel are back on the job and receive the pay they deserve. Continued disruption caused by the partial government shutdown is creating havoc at airports, adding more uncertainty for travelers, and ultimately discouraging travel and undermining confidence in the system.”
While the TSA is not being funded due to the shutdown and therefore not updating its website, the administration still issued its own press release congratulating Mullin on his confirmation.
“Despite the enormous challenges our workforce has faced over the past six months, the men and women of TSA still work every day to ensure travelers reach their destinations with all the security and efficiency we can provide,” the TSA release stated. “Around 61,000 TSA employees, including every frontline TSA officer, have been working without pay during the DHS shutdown, and we look forward to Secretary Mullin’s leadership to reopen DHS and put money back into our employees’ wallets. As we prepare for major events this year, including FIFA World Cup 2026, America’s 250th anniversary, and TSA’s 25th anniversary, we welcome Secretary Mullin’s steadfast commitment to helping TSA secure our skies.”
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