The journey for Pete Hegseth to become the next secretary of defense passed a hurdle Thursday as the Senate voted to advance his nomination.
NBC News reported the nomination was passed with a vote of 51-49. His final confirmation could come by the end of this week.
Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) joined all Democrats in voting against the nomination where a simple majority is needed for it to pass to the next level.
Murkowski voiced her disapproval of Hegseth by saying his past behavior showed a “lack of judgment” and “unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces.”
Collins said after the vote she had asked Hegseth about his stance on women serving in the military.
In his hearing, he said he was not opposed to women serving in combat as long standards remain high.
However, Collins said she is “not convinced that his position on women serving in combat roles has changed.”
Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) assured the nominee would be confirmed Friday.
However, he did state, “I was not surprised and I do understand,” when asked about the opposition from Murkowski and Collins.
The road for Hegseth to get this far has been a bumpy one as allegations swirl about alcohol abuse, a sexual assault and the financial mismanagement of organizations he led.
The Associated Press reported that Hegseth said he paid $50,000 to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017. This was part of the answers he provided to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) during the confirmation process.
Hegseth’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore, confirmed in November that the settlement payment had been made.
Hegseth has denied the allegation, saying he was “falsely accused” and cleared.
As AP reported, “Parlatore has said the payment was made as part of a confidential settlement a few years after the police investigation because Hegseth was concerned that she was prepared to sue and that could have gotten him fired from Fox News, where he was a popular host.”
