Alex Cameron

Moments ago, Alan Armstrong walks into the Senate chamber to be sworn in as a United States Senator from Oklahoma. Armstrong was tapped to fill the remaining 8 months of Markwayne Mullin’s term @Newson6 @ NEWS9

According to the White House, @SecMullinDHS will be sworn in this afternoon at 1:30 ET in the Oval Office. @POTUS will participate. Mullin was confirmed 54-45 by the Senate last night. @NewsOn6 @NEWS9

News: The new Oklahoma senator replacing Sen. Mullin is expected to be sworn in at 3:30 pm tomorrow, per multiple sources familiar w/ the plan That’s pending an announcement from Oklahoma Gov. Stitt on his pick for the appointment. Stitt is expected to pick energy exec Alan Armstrong (@reesejgorman first reported Stitt’s pick)

Just now—Senate confirms @SenMullin to be next Secretary of Homeland Security 54-45. @NewsOn6 @NEWS9

Just now--@SenMullin's nomination to be DHS Secretary narrowly advanced by Senate Homeland Security Committee on 8-7 vote. @NewsOn6 @NEWS9

Breaking: @repbice will NOT run for the US Senate seat being left open by @senmullin’s pending move to DHS, saying she “remains committed to serving the Fifth Congressional District.” Bice’s colleague, @repkevinhern, is running. Rep. Bice’s full statement below. @NEWS9 @Newson6

I also asked @GovStitt if he’s interested in running for the open Senate seat; “I’m just interested right now in picking the very, very best person for this position and representing Oklahomans well… We’re gonna find a great one.” @NEWS9 @NewsOn6

Stitt declined to talk about the meeting with Thune but said he was ‘looking forward to meeting w/ Trump: “I’m gonna thank him for all the economic development that he’s helped us with here in our state and then we’ll talk about the appointment and what we need in the Senate.”

Just now—@GovStitt leaving the U.S. Capitol after meeting with @LeaderJohnThune for about 35 mins. Per sources, Stitt had dinner with @SenatorLankford last night and is to meet with @POTUS this afternoon…all related to appointing an interim replacement for @SenMullin. 🧵

@GovStitt just went into a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Thune at the Capitol. @NewsOn6 @NEWS9

It’s official: confirmation hearing for ⁦@SenMullin⁩ set for next Wednesday at 9:30 ET in ⁦@SenateHomeland⁩

News: Rep. HERN will step down from his role as Republican Policy Committee chair today, in line w/ House GOP rules Conference rules require members of the elected leadership to resign from their post if they run for higher office. HERN will launch his Senate bid this afternoon This means a race for the RPC job among House R's, which is already starting to heat up

NEWS: KEVIN HERN, House Republican from Oklahoma and former RSC chair, will announce tomorrow afternoon he is running for Senate. me and @LauraEWeiss16 (text subscribers knew this already)

Statement just now from @RepFrankLucas: “I’m humbled by the outreach from my fellow Oklahomans regarding the open Senate seat. I am proud to serve Oklahoma’s 3rd District and, as President Trump’s endorsed candidate, hope to continue to do so with your vote in November.”

On her personal page, @stephaniebice praises @potus’s pick to lead DHS, @SenMullin, and hints at a possible run for his seat: “i’ve received encouragement from every corner of this great state to run for the US Senate. And it’s something I’m carefully considering. Stay tuned!”

Moments ago @SenMullin talks to us about being nominated to be the next Secretary of Homeland Security. @NewsOn6 @NEWS9

@SenMullin just now asked if @POTUS is considering him to replace Sec’y Noem at DHS: “Listen, I haven’t talked to the president all week, so I couldn’t even help you with that answer…I’m actually positively not dealing with hypotheticals…right now I’m focused on doing my job.”

@SenMullin moments ago

The primary issue for these R’s—they want the SAVE Act — national voter ID law — attached to the funding pkg. Doing so would mean the bill, having been amended, would have to go back to the Senate where it would need 60 votes and would likely fail. And the shutdown would go on…

All Oklahoma members have voted yes. The two no’s are Thomas Massie (R-KY) and John Rose, a Tennessee Republican who’s running for governor.

⁦@SpeakerJohnson⁩ and leadership working to get 4 R holdouts to vote yes and flip one of the 2 R no’s to yes… this to pass the rule to bring funding pkg to the floor.