Cassidy will vote to confirm Hegseth

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) announced that he will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, increasing the nominee's chances of becoming the next head of the Pentagon.

“The President’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Mr. Hegseth, has impressive academic qualifications, conducted himself very well in the Senate Armed Services hearing, and has a commendable record of service in uniform,” Cassidy said in a statement on Friday.

“He assured me he will surround himself with a strong support team,” he added. “I will vote for his confirmation.”

Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and Army veteran, sat this week for a hearing in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He was grilled by Democrats on the panel about his infidelity, qualifications, opinion on women in combat and alleged drinking while running a veterans organization. Hegseth has consistently denied the allegations.

Republicans on the committee said Hegseth performed well at the Tuesday hearing, with most of them expressing confidence that the Army veteran will be confirmed to the post.

Even before Cassidy’s public backing of the nominee, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who was seen weeks ago as a toss-up vote, said during Simon Conway’s radio show after the contentious hearing that she will vote to confirm Trump’s pick.

Hegseth path to confirmation has gained more steam with Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), a freshman lawmaker, saying he will back the ex-Fox News host.

“While there are actions from his past that give me pause, I carefully weighed these concerns against his qualifications, leadership style, and commitment to bolstering the world’s most respected military,” Curtis said in a Thursday statement. “I am confident Mr. Hegseth shares my vision of ensuring our armed services are prepared to meet the evolving challenges of the 21st century.”

Democrats need to convince one GOP senator on the Armed Services Committee to not vote for Hegseth, but so far, no lawmaker has expressed that view.

“If he’s reported out of committee, we will work quickly to get him across the floor,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters after the hearing.

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