Honestly, the room felt different that Saturday morning. It wasn’t just another weekend in D.C. It was January 25, 2025, and the stakes for the Department of Homeland Security were basically as high as they get. When the final gavel fell, the Kristi Noem confirmation vote count settled at 59-34.
That number tells a story, but it doesn't tell the whole thing. You've got to look at the names behind the "yeas" and "nays" to see why this wasn't just a party-line rubber stamp.
Breaking Down the 59-34 Split
Most people expected a fight. After all, Noem had been a polarizing figure during her time as South Dakota's governor. But when it came down to the floor, 59 senators said yes.
Here is how that math actually worked out. All 52 Republicans present voted in favor. That was the easy part. The real surprise for some was the seven Democrats who crossed the aisle.
The Democrats who voted "yea" included:
- John Fetterman (PA)
- Maggie Hassan (NH)
- Tim Kaine (VA)
- Andy Kim (NJ)
- Gary Peters (MI)
- Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
- Elissa Slotkin (MI)
On the flip side, 33 Democrats and one Independent—Bernie Sanders—voted no. Seven senators didn't show up or didn't vote at all, which is kind of typical for a Saturday session, but still notable given the weight of the DHS role.
Why the Vote Count Mattered More Than Usual
The Department of Homeland Security is a beast. It’s got a massive budget and even bigger responsibilities: border security, TSA, cybersecurity, and FEMA.
During the hearings, Noem faced some heat. Senator Richard Blumenthal was pretty blunt about his "serious doubts" regarding her ability to manage such a huge organization. Others, like Dick Durbin, were worried about the administration's "mass deportation" plans.
But Noem held her ground. She told the committee, "I will deliver the programs according to the law and that it will be done with no political bias." That line seemed to resonate enough to pull those seven Democratic votes over.
A Quick Look at the Timeline
It all happened fast.
- Nov 12, 2024: Trump announces Noem as the nominee.
- Jan 17, 2025: The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs holds its hearing.
- Jan 20, 2025: The committee clears her 13-2. (Wait, only two Democrats on the committee voted no? That was a huge early sign).
- Jan 24, 2025: Cloture is invoked with a 61-39 vote.
- Jan 25, 2025: Final confirmation at 59-34.
The "Dog Story" and Other Roadblocks
You can't talk about the Kristi Noem confirmation vote count without mentioning the elephant—or rather, the puppy—in the room. Last year, Noem's memoir sparked a firestorm when she described killing her hunting dog, Cricket.
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Political analysts thought that might be the "poison pill" for her nomination.
It wasn't.
While the internet was obsessed with it, the Senate was more focused on her record of sending National Guard troops to the Texas border. She had done that eight times as governor. For the GOP, that was the ultimate resume builder for a DHS Secretary.
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What Happens Now for DHS?
Now that the vote is in the books, Noem is officially the 8th Secretary of Homeland Security. She was sworn in later that same day at the home of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
The lieutenant governor of South Dakota, Larry Rhoden, stepped up to become the state's 34th governor as soon as she resigned.
Noem's first big task? The border. She’s already committed to ending the "CBP One" app and bringing back "Remain in Mexico."
Actionable Next Steps for You
If you're tracking how this affects policy or your own business, here is what you should do:
- Monitor Border Policy Changes: Since Noem is now confirmed, expect rapid shifts in immigration enforcement. If your business relies on seasonal visas, check the DHS bulletins weekly.
- Watch Cybersecurity Funding: Noem mentioned that DHS intelligence programs were "incredibly siloed." Look for new grant opportunities or restructuring in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
- Follow the State Backfill: With Larry Rhoden now leading South Dakota, local businesses in the Midwest should watch for shifts in state-level executive orders that Noem might have left behind.
The 59-34 vote was a clear win for the administration, but the seven Democrats who joined the GOP show that Noem has a sliver of bipartisan rope to work with—at least for now.