
The Senate on Tuesday approved by a vote of 56 to 43 the nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas to be the next Secretary of Homeland Security. Mayorkas is the first Senate-confirmed department secretary in nearly two years. The confirmation means that David Pekoske, who had been acting as the Department of Homeland Security secretary since President Joe Biden took office on Jan. 20, is now the acting deputy secretary of the department. Six Republican Senators voted in favor of the Mayorkas…