Hegseth’s nomination faces a test vote

A divided Senate on Thursday voted to move forward with the confirmation of Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense, with a majority of Republicans voting against the criticism that the new allegations about his personal conduct may not prevent his appointment.

By a vote of 51 to 49, Republicans broke a Democratic filibuster, clearing the final hurdle to a confirmation vote expected Friday evening. The move comes as Democrats, who have called President Trump’s nominee to lead the Pentagon unfit, worked to convince a handful of GOP senators to join them in opposition.

“We cannot risk putting in place a leader who may have a track record against our enemies,” said Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. in a speech on Thursday. “We also cannot risk verifying a defense secretary who has demonstrated that he cannot be responsible, accountable and law-abiding 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as that job requires.” “

In his statement, Mr Reed referred to an affidavit submitted to the Senate on Tuesday by Hegseth’s former sister-in-law in which he described his second wife as drunk and “abusive”. Mr. Hegseth denied the account, along with several other allegations that fueled his nomination, including sexual assault, and other reports of heavy drinking.

A few Republicans specifically said they were concerned about the new allegations from Danielle Diettrich Hegseth, the wife of Mr. Formerly Hegseth. On Thursday, however, all but two voted to advance their appointment.

Senators Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, voted not to move forward with Mr. Hegseth. Before the vote, Ms. Murkowski said she could not “in good conscience” support putting him in the Pentagon.

“While the allegations of sexual assault and heavy drinking do not allay my concerns, Mr. Hegseth’s past conduct which he has admitted to, including repeated infidelities, demonstrates a lapse in judgment that is unworthy of a person to lead the armed forces,” he said in a statement, which also cited financial reports that alleged poor management of the two veterans’ organizations he led, and as well as his previous statements disparaging the role of women in war.

To be confirmed, Mr. Hegseth needs the support of all but three Republicans, as Democrats are sure to oppose him in unison, as they did on Thursday.

During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Hegseth called the series of allegations against him “anonymous corrections.”

Samantha Hegseth, wife of Mr. Second, Hegseth has publicly stated that he has never been physically abusive. But a Trump transition official informed House Armed Services Committee leaders last week that he had told the FBI during an interview that Mr. Hegseth, according to a person familiar with what he saw.

Senator Roger Wicker, Republican of Mississippi and chairman of the committee, did not comment specifically on the allegations in laying the case for Mr. Hegseth on the floor of the Senate, but criticized what he called “numerous omissions and misinformation” about him. .

“His experience as a firefighter and service member advocate makes at least one thing clear: Pete Hegseth will put the men and women of our military first,” Mr. Wicker said.

But Democrats have warned he is not qualified for the job Mr Trump wants him to have.

“Is this guy, with a known history of heavy drinking, the guy you want on the end of the phone at 2 a.m. in a crisis, controlling the nuclear codes? Who’s kidding? said Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, adding: “Pete Hegseth has shown that he lacks the necessary morals, sense, judgment” to be secretary of defense.

Danielle Hegseth’s affidavit, obtained by The New York Times, described Mr. Hegseth as having such “deviant and violent behavior” that his second wife, Samantha Hegseth, once hid there. in his room, and he told his close friend safely. he can call for help if he needs it. It also details several episodes in which he said he witnessed Mr Hegseth drinking excessively, including once while in uniform and several times since independence.

Democrats raced Thursday to bolster those allegations with additional testimony or evidence, according to people familiar with their efforts.

But many Republicans have denied the allegations, pointing to Samantha Hegseth’s denial that Mr. Hegseth physically assaulted her to discount the rest of Danielle Hegseth’s statement as well.

“Why should I trust his word?” Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said of Danielle Hegseth in a brief interview on Wednesday. “No,” he said. It looks like someone else is there if he stumbles and falls down drunk.”

Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa and an early skeptic of Mr. Hegseth’s nomination who moved to support him, was similarly unmoved.

“Her ex-husband denied it. So it really didn’t go that far,” Ms. Ernst, who has come under intense pressure from Mr. Trump’s supporters to endorse Hegseth, told reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday. “It carries no weight.”

A handful of Republican senators dissented, giving Democrats hope that they might still be able to convince others to block Mr. Hegseth’s proposal.

Sen. Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina, told reporters Thursday that he continued to be “diligent” on the nomination, even as he voted to break the Democratic filibuster.

Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, who did not endorse Mr. Hegseth, declined to answer questions about his proposal, but voted on Thursday to advance Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to a final confirmation vote. .