The vote comes after all Republican senators, joined by eight Democrats, broke a filibuster on the South Dakota governor’s cabinet nomination Friday night.

The Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary on Saturday by a 59-34 vote, putting the former South Dakota governor in charge of a sprawling agency that is essential to national security and President Donald Trump's plans to clamp down on illegal immigration.

The Senate on Saturday confirmed Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security, at a time when border security and illegal immigration are top priorities.