New Delhi, March 19 -- A US Senate committee on Thursday (March 18) voted to advance the nomination of Markwayne Mullin to serve as homeland security secretary, sending his candidacy to the full Senate for confirmation.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the nomination in an 8-7 vote, largely along party lines.

However, two notable exceptions emerged:

-Republican Chairman Rand Paul voted against Mullin

-Democrat John Fetterman voted in favor

-Mullin will now require a simple majority in the Republican-controlled Senate to be confirmed.

President Donald Trump nominated Mullin after dismissing former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem earlier this month.

Noem faced criticism from Republican lawmakers over...