Tester Continues Work to Secure Border, Confirms President Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary Nominee

Senator Supports Kirstjen Nielsen to Lead the Department of Homeland Security

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, today released the following statement after his vote to confirm Kirstjen Nielsen as Homeland Security Secretary:

“We must secure our borders using the best technology possible, we must make airport security failsafe, and we must stay far ahead of all cyber threats that put Montana and our nation at risk. I will be working closely with Secretary Nielsen and the Trump Administration to strengthen our national security and keep out anyone who wants to harm our country.”

During a hearing earlier this year, Tester secured a commitment from Nielsen that under her leadership, the Department of Homeland Security would not advocate for an ineffective and costly coast-to-coast southern border wall. Rather, Nielsen would work with Congress to secure the southern border by utilizing technology and identifying appropriate places where a wall may be most effective-as Tester has long advocated.

Nielsen was confirmed 62-37.