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U.S. Senate Advances Pete Hegseth Nomination

On Thursday, the United States Senate approved a key procedural vote on the nomination of former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense.

As reported by The Hill, the cloture vote to end debate on Hegseth’s nomination passed along party lines, with 51 Republicans voting in favor, and two Republicans voting with all 47 Democrats against. The two Republican defectors were Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

President Donald Trump’s nomination of Hegseth was considered a surprise move, shocking many political analysts and even most conservatives. But the President has remained steadfast in his support of Hegseth, declaring that he will help rebuild the “most powerful military in the world” by abandoning the “political agendas” of the Biden Administration’s military chain of command.

Hegseth had previously been narrowly approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee, with Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) reaffirming his support for Hegseth as well, describing the nominee as a “good choice” who will be “open to new ideas” and “not beholden to the status quo.” Senator Wicker also said that confirming Hegseth was part of the Senate’s responsibility due to President Trump being given “a clear mandate” with his landslide comeback victory in the 2024 election.

The full, final floor vote is expected to be held sometime on Friday. Hegseth’s nomination is expected to come down to the wire, with the 53-seat Republican majority needing no more than three defections. If the vote comes to a 50-50 tie, then Vice President J.D. Vance will be called in to break the tie, where he will be expected to vote in favor of confirming Hegseth.

The Senate has confirmed only two of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees thus far: Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Other nominees who have been approved by their respective committees include Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent, Veterans Affairs nominee Doug Collins, and Interior Secretary nominee Doug Burgum.

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About Eric Lendrum

Eric Lendrum graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was the Secretary of the College Republicans and the founding chairman of the school’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter. He has interned for Young America’s Foundation, the Heritage Foundation, and the White House, and has worked for numerous campaigns including the 2018 re-election of Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-22). He is currently a co-host of The Right Take podcast.

Photo: WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 08: Pete Hegseth, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, and his wife Jennifer Rauchet arrive for a meeting at the Hart Senate Office Building on January 8, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump's nominees for his incoming administration continue to meet with senators on Capitol Hill, weeks before his inauguration. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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