Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has rescinded a rule that DHS expenditures over $100,000 be personally approved by his office. The decision Wednesday ends a widely criticized policy implemented by his predecessor Kristi Noem that critics said put a particular burden on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s work aiding disaster response and recovery. It marks the first major action by the new Homeland Security leader, sworn in last week, to change a policy implemented by Noem, whom President Donald Trump fired in March. Mullin’s move is expected to ease a spending bottleneck that lawmakers and states said delayed disaster response and recovery funds.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida is maintaining her innocence following the House Ethics Committee’s finding that the Democratic congresswoman committed numerous violations of House rules and ethics standards. It’s a ruling that could add weight to Republicans’ push to expel Cherfilus-McCormick from Congress. After meeting into early Friday morning, an ethics panel of four Democrats and four Republicans found Cherfilus-McCormick committed 25 ethics violations. The panel says it will recommend a punishment in the coming weeks. The allegations center on Cherfilus-McCormick’s receipt of millions of dollars from her family’s health care business following Florida’s overpayment of roughly $5 million in disaster relief funds. The congresswoman has denied wrongdoing.

The acting head of the Transportation Security Administration says air travelers are experiencing the highest airport wait times ever under her agency. In testimony Wednesday before a House committee, Ha Nguyen McNeill described the mounting hardships facing unpaid airport workers and warned of potential airport closures. Bills and eviction notices are piling up, and some workers are resorting to plasma donations to make ends meet. Her appearance on Capitol Hill comes as the latest offer to end a funding impasse and put restraints on President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda is running into fierce resistance. But there appears to be no end in sight on the 40th day of the stalemate involving the Department of Homeland Security.

Officials say an oil refinery fire near the Texas coast has been put out and a shelter-in-place order has been lifted following air quality testing. The large explosion at the complex had shot plumes of smoke into the air. A Valero spokesperson says no one was injured and all employees are accounted for after Monday’s explosion at the company's refinery in Port Arthur. The explosion comes amid a spike in gas prices driven by uncertainty over the global oil supply because of the Iran war. Valero’s website says the refinery has about 770 employees and can process about 435,000 barrels of oil per day. The plant refines heavy sour crude oil into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

Markwayne Mullin is appearing before senators for a Department of Homeland Security confirmation hearing as President Donald Trump’s deportation push faces rising backlash. Wednesday's hearing is Mullin’s first opportunity since being nominated to publicly present his plans for DHS. If confirmed, the Republican Oklahoma senator would replace Kristi Noem, whom Trump fired this month. Democrats will likely press Mullin regarding aggressive immigration raids and claims of rough treatment by officers. The hearing comes during a partial government shutdown that leaves airport security screeners unpaid and airport lines growing. Senators also will likely question Mullin about the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which faces major reforms and funding delays.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin has a tough path as he moves toward leading the Department of Homeland Security, with immigration fights, disaster anger and Iran threats piling up. If confirmed, he'll step in after Kristi Noem’s turbulent tenure. Mullin has been a member of Congress for 13 years. As DHS secretary, he is expected to align the department with President Donald Trump's priorities. Mullin backs aggressive immigration enforcement and supports cutting funds to places that resist Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Critics say raids have gone beyond promises to target serious criminals. He also faces a funding standoff with Democrats that has slowed airport screening. The Federal Emergency Management Agency faces backlash over delayed disaster aid.