Senate panel advances Defense secretary nominee Hegseth on party-line vote
Share and Follow


The Senate Armed Services Committee on Monday voted to advance Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of Defense, to the floor.

The 14-13 vote was strictly along party lines.

Senators on the Armed Services panel also voted to waive the seven-day rule that usually requires at least a week to elapse between a nominee’s confirmation hearing and a vote to discharge from committee.

Senate Republicans then held a separate vote to advance Hegseth’s nomination.

Hegseth is one of Trump’s most high-profile nominees, and his confirmation hearing last week featured some fireworks as Democrats went on the attack.

Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.), a Democrat on the committee, called the Monday vote “disappointing.”

“It’s extremely disappointing, for a couple of reasons. One, we think there’s some additional information that’s likely to come out in the next few days that could be very troubling. I think people have a right to know what that is,” he said.

“And, two, I believe all of my [Democratic] colleagues requested meetings with Mr. Hegseth. Certainly, my schedule was wide open. We said, ‘Give us a time. We’re willing to meet, whenever it works for you.’ And we never got a response,” he said.

Hegseth met with Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the ranking member on the Armed Services panel but not with any other Democrats on the committee.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), another member of the panel, argued that Republicans shouldn’t have waived the customary seven-day rule since Hegseth only met with one Democrat on the committee.

“He did not do the courtesy to meet with the minority members but the majority voted to waive it anyway,” he said.

“This isn’t over until we get to the floor,” he said. “I’m energized.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), another Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, accused Republicans of “rushing” an “unqualified nominee” through the vetting process.

“Senate Republicans are rushing through the most unqualified nominee for U.S. Secretary of Defense in modern history. This confirmation process has made a mockery of the Senate’s constitutional responsibility with profound national security consequences,” she said in a statement.

The strong opposition to Hegseth expressed by Democrats on the Armed Services panel signals they will use many of the procedural tools at their disposal to slow his confirmation on the Senate floor.

Warren criticized Hegseth Monday for stock his wife holds in two major Department of Defense contractors.

“Given your household’s ownership of stock in several defense contractors and your unwillingness at your confirmation hearing to commit to post-employment restrictions, I am concerned that you will enter this role with serious conflicts of interest,” Warren wrote in a letter to Hegseth.

Republicans appear confident Hegseth will get enough Republican votes to win confirmation later this month.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told NBC’s “Today” in an interview that all of Trump’s Cabinet nominees “have a path to get” to confirmation.

Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), two key swing votes, still haven’t announced whether they will back the nominee.

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), a freshman on the Armed Services panel, called on Senate colleagues to confirm Hegseth immediately.

“There is no time to waste,” he posted on X.

Updated at 7:59 p.m.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Viral protest video against Iran’s supreme leader sparks copycat demonstrations worldwide

Global Wave of Protests Erupts as Viral Video Challenges Iran’s Supreme Leader

A captivating video featuring an Iranian refugee setting aflame an image of…
ICE says 2 demonstrators were arrested in Minnesota for allegedly assaulting officers

ICE Arrests Two Protesters in Minnesota for Alleged Assault on Officers

In a recent development in Minnesota, two individuals found themselves in custody…
Texas couple labeled fake ‘Chip and Joanna Gaines’ admits $5M dream home renovation scam

Texas Duo Unmasked: The $5M Dream Home Renovation Scam That Duped Homeowners

A Texas couple has admitted to federal charges after authorities exposed their…
NASA's new moon rocket Artemis II moves to the pad ahead of astronaut launch as early as February

NASA’s Artemis II Moon Rocket Advances to Launch Pad for Potential February Astronaut Mission

Located in Cape Canaveral, Florida, NASA’s colossal new moon rocket headed to…
Florida woman, 81, arrested in murder-for-hire plot after sharing plan with undercover detective, sheriff says

Florida Grandmother, 81, Caught in Undercover Sting for Alleged Murder-for-Hire Scheme

A Florida woman in her 80s found herself behind bars on Friday…
California hiker found dead after striking out to search for missing group

Tragic Discovery: California Hiker Dies While Searching for Lost Group

A tragic incident unfolded in the remote mountains of Southern California over…
Mika Zibanejad has full say in his Rangers fate after Letter 2.0

Mika Zibanejad Takes Control of His Future with the Rangers After Significant Team Update

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mika Zibanejad stands as the sole Ranger who has…
Maniac arrested after three tourists found shot dead near Disney World

Suspect Apprehended Following Tragic Shooting of Three Tourists Near Disney World

A gunman opened fire on three tourists in a neighborhood near Florida’s…