U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on President Donald J. Trump’s intention to nominate Kirstjen Nielsen for the position of Secretary of Homeland Security.
“Ms. Nielsen knows the Department inside and out and her experience will be beneficial in guiding Homeland Security forward, especially with her knowledge of cybersecurity issues,” Daines stated. “I look forward to meeting Ms. Nielsen and speaking with her about keeping Americans safe. We need to confirm a Secretary of Homeland Security quickly without partisan obstruction.”
Daines is a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which has jurisdiction for the Department of Homeland Security including nominations subject to U.S. Senate confirmation.
Background on Kirstjen Nielsen: Ms. Nielsen has extensive professional experience in the areas of homeland security policy and strategy, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and emergency management. She is the first nominee for this position to have previously worked within the Department of Homeland Security, having served there in two administrations, first as senior legislative policy director for Transportation and Security Administration under President George W. Bush and then as Department of Homeland Security Chief of Staff under President Trump. Before joining the Trump Administration, Ms. Nielsen founded a risk and security management consulting firm. She previously served as Special Assistant to the President and senior director for prevention, preparedness, and response on the White House Homeland Security Council under President George W. Bush, in addition to serving as a corporate attorney and as a congressional staff member.
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