Pete Hegseth came one step closer to leading the Pentagon on Thursday despite new allegations against him and last-minute Republican defections.
The Senate voted 51-49 to cut off debate on Hegseth’s nomination, setting up a final vote that could come as late as this weekend.
All Democrats opposed moving forward with his confirmation. Two Republicans, Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine also came out in opposition to Hegseth.
Murkowski cited “significant concerns” with the former Fox News host, including a lack of experience, allegations of personal misconduct and comments opposing women in combat roles. Collins, who previously expressed concerns about the allegations against him, said Hegseth doesn’t “have the experience and perspective” for the job.
Hegseth’s GOP supporters have brushed aside allegations this week from his former sister-in-law as partisan attacks and say he has the votes to be confirmed.
He can lose one more GOP senator on the final vote and still be approved with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie — an increasingly likely scenario. Another Republican seen as on the fence, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, voted to advance Hegseth’s nomination.
Democrats are unlikely to let Republicans speed up the confirmation vote, forcing lawmakers to use all 30 hours of debate time required under Senate rules. That would likely push the vote to Friday evening.
Senate Democrats want more time to highlight the latest allegations that his ex-wife feared for her safety during their marriage. And they are using the accusations to argue Democrats haven’t been able to thoroughly vet the man who would lead the country’s largest federal agency.
“Why would we rush to put through a nomination for a position of this importance that is freighted with so much baggage and so much evidence of glaring character and judgment errors?” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said in a floor speech. “Do we want to have egg on our face? Do we want to rush and have this blow up later?”
Hegseth’s bid has been dogged for months by allegations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse and financial mismanagement. But senators received an affidavit this week from his former sister-in-law alleging that he was abusive to his second wife and regularly abused alcohol.
CNN also reported that Samantha Hegseth, his ex-wife, gave a new statement to the FBI about his drinking after the latest allegations came out. The outlet said Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) were briefed on her statement.
Hegseth has denied all wrongdoing.
Republicans largely shrugged at the allegations because they came from Hegseth’s former sister-in-law and not a firsthand account from his ex-wife. Wicker, meanwhile, defended the background investigation process.
“I am ironclad in my assessment that the nominee, Mr. Hegseth, is prepared to be the next Secretary of Defense,” Wicker said in a statement. “The allegations unfairly impugning his character do not pass scrutiny.”
