DHS Secretary Nominee Passes Senate Committee Vote

Jeh Johnson now heads to full Senate

President Barack Obama's nominee to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security cleared a key milestone Wednesday after the Senate Homeland Security Committee endorsed him on a voice vote.

Former Pentagon General Counsel Jeh Johnson's nomination now heads for the full Senate. If confirmed, he would fill the vacancy left by former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who resigned in July to lead the University of California system.

While Johnson cleared the committee easily, two key senators are still holding up his confirmation. There could still be another ugly confirmation battle, particularly as Republicans this week filibuster a third consecutive vote on a D.C. Circuit court nominee.