Hegseth clears key Senate hurdle

Defense &
National Security

The Big Story

Hegseth clears Senate hurdle as 2 Republicans come out against him

Two GOP senators said they will not support President Trump's Defense pick Pete Hegseth, who can only afford to lose three Republican votes and still clinch the nomination.

The final Senate vote on Hegseth's nomination is expected Friday night after a procedural hurdle was cleared Thursday. The Trump Cabinet nominee is battling multiple allegations of excessive drinking and sexual impropriety while pushing to be confirmed.

Two GOP senators voted against Hegseth in the procedural vote: Sens. Lisa Murkowksi (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine).

Murkowksi said she had reservations about Hegseth's qualifications and abilities to lead 3 million troops and civilians, and she was concerned about the allegations against him.

"While the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking do nothing to quiet my concerns, the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces," Murkowski said.

Collins said she was "concerned that he does not have the experience and perspective necessary to succeed in the job," and cited additional concern about his past comments that women should not serve in combat roles.

If Democrats uniformly oppose him, Hegseth can afford to lose three Republican votes and still be confirmed, with Vice President Vance stepping in to cast a tie-breaking vote.

It's unclear if any more GOP senators will buck Trump and oppose Hegseth's nomination, setting up the former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran for Pentagon confirmation.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has kept quiet about how he would vote, spurring discussion that he might oppose.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) on Thursday told reporters he was reviewing the allegations against Hegseth and trying to corroborate the latest accusation.
"But unless I can point to specific first-hand corroborated testimony, I'm not going to cave to pressure, I'm going to vote for his confirmation," he said.

There has generally been broad Republican support for Hegseth.

But Hegseth had a rocky start in November, as GOP senators, including Joni Ernst (Iowa), raised concerns. But Ernst, who is up for reelection next year, backed down, and Hegseth was able to get his nomination on track with support from Trump and his allies.

At his confirmation hearing last week, Hegseth battled against a 2017 sexual assault allegation, accusations of financial mismanagement at two veterans groups he once led and concerns he drinks too heavily at work. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, praised Hegseth's performance.

Hegseth has denied all the allegations against him, including the newest one this week in which he allegedly abused his ex-wife, according to his former sister-in-law, and pitched himself at the hearing as a "change agent" with a unique perspective and with no conflicts of interest.

Read more coverage at TheHill.com.

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