Tulsi Gabbard Moves One Step Closer To Senate Confirmation

The Senate voted to advance former Democratic Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to serve as President Donald Trump’s Director of National Intelligence (DNI) during a procedural vote Monday evening.

Senators voted 52 to 45 to advance Gabbard’s nomination with every Senate Republican who voted choosing to limit debate on her nomination. Gabbard is set to become Trump’s 14th cabinet nominee to be confirmed.

Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John Curtis of Utah, seen as key swing votes on Gabbard’s nomination, voted “yes” during the cloture vote. Murkowski endorsed Gabbard’s nomination following the procedural vote. McConnell and Curtis have thus far not commented on whether they will support Gabbard’s nomination on final passage.

Gabbard’s nomination previously faced uncertain prospects following heated exchanges with several GOP senators about her views on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Gabbard also overcame attacks from Senate Democrats and smears from corporate media attempting to call Gabbard’s loyalty to the United States into question despite the lieutenant colonel’s two decades of military service.