Senate panel aims to hold confirmation hearing next week for Mullin as next Homeland Security Sec

Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul said Monday that he is aiming to hold Oklahoma GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin's confirmation hearing for Homeland Security secretary next week. 

President Donald Trump nominated Mullin to the post last week after firing former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and said he wants Mullin in the post by the end of the month. 

Paul declined to indicate whether he supported Mullin's nomination but told reporters that the committee is hoping to hold the confirmation hearing "a week from Wednesday if all the paperwork comes in," according to Politico. 

Noem will now serve as Trump's Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, which the president described as a new "security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere."