On Monday, the Senate voted 59-33 to invoke cloture and end the debate on the confirmation of Kirstjen Nielsen as the new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). President Donald Trump formally nominated Nielsen to lead the agency in October, but her confirmation was delayed in November after Senate Homeland Security Committee members presented her with nearly 200 follow-up questions. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) said Democrats were causing a “big problem” by delaying confirmations of “very, very qualified” nominees. Nielsen, who previously served as White House Chief of Staff John Kelly's top aide at DHS, will be replacing Acting Secretary Elaine Duke, who held the position since Kelly was appointed to the White House in July.