On November 13, 2019, the U.S. Senate confirmed Chad Wolf as the new Under Secretary of Homeland Security Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans by a vote of 54-41 [PDF version]. On the same day, Wolf succeeded Kevin McAleenan as the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, taking leadership of the Department of Homeland Security. As Acting Secretary, Wolf appointed Ken Cuccinelli, who is serving as Acting Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, as the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, effectively placing Cuccinelli at the second position in the Department [PDF version].