Dalton advances to confirmation vote following contentious hearing

The Senate Armed Services Committee today voted 14-10 to advance the nomination of Melissa Dalton to be Air Force under secretary.

While a breakdown of the committee vote wasn't immediately available, Dalton, who currently serves as assistant secretary of defense for homeland security and hemispheric affairs, faced fierce criticism from Republican committee members during her Jan. 23 confirmation hearing over U.S. border security and the controversy surrounding a Chinese surveillance balloon.

During the hearing, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) said: “I just don’t think you are the best person for the job right now.”

Committee staff did say all of the "no" votes were from Republicans.

Dalton now advances to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.