Mullin confirmed as DHS Secretary, Stitt appoints Alan Armstrong as replacement

In a 54-45 vote yesterday afternoon, the United States Senate confirmed Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as the new Secretary of Homeland Security. Three senators crossed party lines in the vote; Rand Paul (R-KY) voting against, while John Fetterman (D-PA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) voting for Mullin. 

With Mullin's resignation to take the cabinet position, Governor Kevin Stitt this morning announced his selection of energy executive Alan Armstrong to fill Mullin's seat for the remaining nine months of the Senate term.

Armstrong, stepping down as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at Tulsa-based Williams Companies, says he will be focused on achieving permitting reform for large-scale infrastructure and energy projects. Stitt indicated conversations with Senate leadership and the White House led to specific requests for an appointee that could help in this area.

Given Armstrong's limited time as the placeholder for the Senate seat, there is a very short window of time in which he will have ability to act on legislation. Stitt said he chose Armstrong to help work across the aisle to bring movement on this particular area of policy (again, with confirmation from Senate leadership and the Trump administration).

Stitt mentioned transmission line projects during the press conference, in addition to other energy-related issues, which will likely cause ears to perk up among local activists across the state (and region) who have fought against similar projects and proposed wind-energy farms.

You can watch Stitt and Armstrong at the press conference here:

Senator James Lankford issues a statement of support and congratulations to Armstrong for the appointment. Armstrong named Lankford as a good friend, and one whom he will seek advice from in the Senate:

Lankford Releases Statement on Alan Armstrong’s Appointment to the US Senate

WASHINGTON, DC (March 24th) — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), senior senator for Oklahoma, released the following statement after Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Oklahoma businessman Alan Armstrong to fill the vacancy created by Senator Markwayne Mullin’s resignation and confirmation to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, and serve the remainder of the term through the 119th Congress.

"Congratulations to my friend Alan Armstrong on his appointment to serve our state in the United States Senate,” said Lankford. “I am grateful he and his family are willing to sacrifice their time to serve. Markwayne leaves large boots to fill, but with Alan’s strong background in energy and an understanding of what powers our economy, he brings real-world experience at a critical time for the American economy. I look forward to working with him to support Oklahoma workers, strengthen our energy independence, and keep costs low for families."