Some GOP senators want open committee vote on Gabbard

Some Republican senators are pushing for the unusual step of making public a key vote on Tulsi Gabbard's nomination in the Senate Intelligence Committee, in an attempt to exert pressure on the members of a panel that typically does business behind closed doors.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton is being targeted to make the change by senators allied with President Donald Trump, according to two Senate GOP officials granted anonymity to speak about private conversations.

Gabbard is set to face the Senate Intelligence Committee in open and closed sessions on Thursday. Typically, aside from certain public hearings, the panel deliberates and votes in private. That includes presidential nominations.

The talk of forcing open the committee vote underscores concerns among some Republicans that Gabbard's nomination could die before it even reaches the floor.

Public pressure from Trump allies played a key role in getting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth across the finish line, and Gabbard's allies believe some Republicans on the panel might vote a different way if they know their votes will be made public.

The committee is split 9-8 in favor of Republicans — meaning if all panel Democrats oppose Gabbard, as is expected, a single GOP flip could prevent her nomination from reaching the floor.

Several GOP committee members are seen as soft on Gabbard, including Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who said there were “obvious issues” with Gabbard’s shifting position on a crucial surveillance program in an interview with The Hill published Monday. “I know there’s been a lot of reporting that she’s changed her position” in favor of keeping the program, Collins said. “That’s not how I read her answers.”

A spokesperson for Cotton declined to comment.

A person familiar with Intelligence Committee procedure said while panel rules allow for the release of a vote tally, they do not allow for a public roll call of how each member voted. Members are free to disclose their votes if they wish, the person said.

Opening up the committee vote, in other words, would require the secretive committee to waive its rules, and it is unclear whether Cotton has that power.

The panel's Jan. 20 vote on CIA Director John Ratcliffe was kept closed, with only the 14-3 tally released. Three committee members — Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich (N.M.), Jon Ossoff (Ga.) and Ron Wyden (Ore.) — ultimately opposed him on the floor.

Topics

Dems to GOP: Delay committee vote on budget chief

Politico - 10h
Gabbard's path through Intelligence Committee narrows ahead of key hearing

Republicans are cautioning that Tulsi Gabbard’s path to confirmation to lead the U.S. Intelligence apparatus is narrowing as she seemingly has trouble winning over key GOP senators. Gabbard, along ...
The Hill - 1d
Sen. Graham inclined to vote yes on Gabbard, wants to ‘see how the hearing goes’

Sen. Graham inclined to vote yes on Gabbard, wants to ‘see how the hearing goes’ CAP: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) speaks to Kristen Welker about his inclination to vote “yes” on President Donald ...
NBC News - 2d
Senate votes to advance Pete Hegseth as Trump’s defense secretary despite some Republican opposition – live

Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have come out in opposition to the former Fox host running the Pentagon. Key Republican senators to vote against Hegseth for US defense secretary ...
The Guardian - 5d
Senate panel sets hearing on Tulsi Gabbard nomination

The Senate Intelligence Committee has scheduled a hearing to review the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of national intelligence. The Jan. 30 hearing comes after Democrats ...
The Hill - 5d
Trump’s budget pick is famous for defying Congress. GOP senators want to confirm him anyway.

It’s looking like "thumbs up" for Russ Vought in the Senate, where Republicans are preparing to confirm him to lead the White House budget office despite his reputation for withholding ...
Politico - 6d
Senate committee advances nomination for Trump Treasury pick

Editor's note: This article was updated to correct Sen. Ron Wyden's (D-Ore.) role on the Senate Finance Committee The Senate Finance Committee voted 16-11 on Tuesday morning to advance the ...
The Hill - Jan. 21
Senate GOP wants new start with Trump, despite tensions

Senate Republicans say they’re ready for a new start with President-elect Trump after years of misgivings and mistrust that sometimes boiled over into all-out war between the disruptor-in-chief and ...
The Hill - Jan. 20
Democrats want to slow Gabbard confirmation path

Senate Democrats want to slow the roll on Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. intelligence community. Democrats are insisting on delaying Gabbard’s confirmation hearing ...
The Hill - Jan. 13