Hegseth teed up for confirmation vote

The Senate voted 51-49 today to advance the nomination of former Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be defense secretary, with two Republicans breaking ranks with the GOP and voting against him.

Every GOP senator voted in favor of advancing Hegseth’s nomination for a final confirmation vote except Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

If the vote totals remain unchanged, Hegseth has the support needed to be confirmed as defense secretary in a likely vote scheduled for tomorrow evening. Even if Hegseth were to lose one more GOP senator, Vice President JD Vance can be brought in to break a tie.

Meanwhile, Murkowski and Collins each cited concerns over various misconduct allegations against Hegseth also arguing the nominee, who served in the Army National Guard, lacks the experience to be defense secretary. Hegseth has denied all of the allegations, which include sexual assault, abuse of and inappropriate behavior toward women, heavy drinking and financial mismanagement.

The most recent allegation comes from his former sister-in-law, who said in an affidavit to the FBI that Hegseth was abusive toward his second wife.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) said in a statement his support for Hegseth remains “ironclad.”

“The allegations unfairly impugning his character do not pass scrutiny,” Wicker said.