The Senate on Tuesday voted 85-14 to confirm Elaine Duke as deputy secretary of Homeland Security, giving the department an experienced federal manager to oversee day-to-day responsibilities.
The 14 nay votes came from 13 Democrats and one independent, Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.).
“Elaine Duke has served successfully under Democratic and Republican administrations and I believe will be in a position to provide a much-needed perspective to the Department of Homeland Security,” Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), ranking member on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said in a statement. “I was heartened during her confirmation process she was so committed to being responsive to our committee’s oversight requests and look forward to working with her moving forward.”
McCaskill voted for Duke’s confirmation.
Duke has been running her own consulting firm since leaving the federal government in 2010. Between June 2008 and April 2010, she was the undersecretary of Management at DHS, a position that manages the department’s budget and oversees its $17 billion acquisition program. The management job is also responsible for personnel policies.
From January 2006 until October 2007, Duke was the chief procurement officer at DHS. After that she was deputy of the management office until leading it.
Duke helped stand up DHS. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, she helped federalize passenger and baggage screening at U.S. airports. She also served as deputy for acquisition at the Transportation Security Administration.