Mullin has more work to do to repair the relationship between DHS and Congress

"“There needs to be a good relationship between the secretary of Homeland Security and the chairman of the committee,” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said. Declining to say if any members are working to smooth over the relationship between the two, Scott emphasized: “I think it's important they figure out how to have a positive human relationship.”"

"The White House has also been slow to embrace Mullin as its go-to representative on the Hill for DHS matters. As funding legislation snaked its way through Congress in March and April, the White House mainly dispatched border czar Tom Homan to talk to lawmakers, casting Mullin into a less direct role in the push to end the monthslong shutdown of his department."

"That omission is all the more striking given that Mullin, who represented Oklahoma in both the House and Senate, was hailed as a Capitol Hill dealmaker when he was nominated. Mullin had also vowed to be accessible and very communicative with Congress during his confirmation hearing. Early reports had also suggested he was trying to play a role during his confirmation process as a broker for a funding deal."

"Many of those dynamics will be on sharp display this month when Mullin returns to testify before the House Appropriations Committee, his first public appearance before his former colleagues since he entered the Cabinet. His testimony at an oversight hearing, which has been postponed after it was initially scheduled for Monday, will give lawmakers their first chance to publicly press Mullin on his efforts at the department. DHS said in a statement that “while serving in his new role as DHS Secretary, he's continuing this leadership style and is in constant communication with leaders on Capitol Hill, his 22 agency heads, and the White H"

Sen. Rick Scott stresses the need for a good relationship between the secretary of Homeland Security and the chairman of the relevant committee, saying they must develop a positive human connection. Paul declines to comment on his relationship with Mullin. The White House has been slow to rely on Mullin as its primary Hill representative for DHS matters, instead sending border czar Tom Homan during the push to end a prolonged DHS shutdown. Mullin had previously been viewed as a Capitol Hill dealmaker and promised accessibility and frequent communication during confirmation. His upcoming testimony before the House Appropriations Committee will be his first public appearance with former colleagues and will allow lawmakers to press him on his efforts. DHS states he is maintaining his leadership style and communicating constantly with Capitol Hill leaders, agency heads, and the White House.

Read at POLITICO