WASHINGTON (CN) — Pete Hegseth’s nomination for secretary of defense cleared a key procedural hurdle Thursday, as the Senate voted to break a potential filibuster and advance him to a final vote on the chamber floor.
But while he appeared to have the votes to secure the Pentagon’s top job, the former Fox News host’s confirmation may come on tighter margins than the White House would like.
Several Republican senators have signaled that they may not vote for Hegseth when it comes time to cast the final ballot, amid swirling controversy about the nominee’s qualifications and accusations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski on Thursday became the first GOP lawmaker to publicly break from her party on the nominee, writing in a statement that she could not “in good conscience” vote for his confirmation.
“I commend Pete Hegseth’s service to our nation, including leading troops in combat and advocating for our veterans,” the Alaska Republican said. “However, these accomplishments do not alleviate my significant concerns regarding his nomination.”
Hegseth, tapped for defense secretary in November by President Donald Trump, has repeatedly denied the accusations against him, chalking them up to “anonymous smears” during his nomination hearing.
But Senate Democrats this week breathed new life into the reports after they revealed an affidavit provided to lawmakers by the nominee’s former sister-in-law, in which she accused Hegseth of public drunkenness and erratic behavior, which caused his second wife to fear for her safety.
And Murkowski explained Thursday that while those allegations did little to alleviate her concerns, behavior that Hegseth has already admitted to — such as infidelity — demonstrates “a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces.”
“The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook,” she added.
Murkowski also pointed to her reservations about the nominee’s view of women in combat. Hegseth has previously said that he does not believe women should serve in combat roles in the military, though he walked back those statements during his confirmation hearing.
Despite the nominee’s backtracking, though, the senator said she remained concerned about the message confirming Hegseth would send to women currently serving in the military, as well as those aspiring to enlist.
“Women have served our nation with distinction, overcoming immense obstacles to excel in combat and leadership roles, and they deserve to know that their leader honors and values their commitment to our nation,” Murkowski wrote.
Just hours after the Alaska lawmaker voiced her disapproval, Maine Senator Susan Collins announced that she, too, would vote against Hegseth — concurring with her colleague that the nominee did not have the “experience and perspective” necessary to lead the Pentagon.
Collins said in a statement that she and Hegseth had a “candid conversation” in December about his past statements on women serving in the military. “I am not convinced that his position on women serving in combat roles has changed,” she wrote.
Despite public disapproval from two Senate Republicans, the GOP-led chamber successfully filed cloture on Hegseth’s nomination Thursday afternoon on a 51-49 vote. Clearing that procedural hurdle tees up a final confirmation vote on the nominee.
Murkowski and Collins voted against cloture, but Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, who previously signaled his own reservations about Hegseth, voted in favor.
It’s unclear whether McConnell will ultimately vote to confirm the nominee. If he does not, and Murkowski and Collins hold, it may force Vice President JD Vance to cast a tiebreaking vote.
During a combative hearing last week, Hegseth pushed back on sharp questioning from Democrats about his experience and the accusations against him. He told New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen that he believed women in the military have made “amazing contributions” but later suggested that certain military readiness standards had been changed in order to “meet quotas” for female infantry and officers.
Hegseth has also come under scrutiny for reports of financial mismanagement at his defunct veterans’ nonprofit organization.
Though the nominee first appeared to have a steep path to confirmation, things have smoothed for him over the last several months as some Republican lawmakers relaxed their criticism. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, who previously raised concerns about his comments about women in the military, appeared satisfied with Hegseth’s course correction at last week’s confirmation hearing.
She has since said that she will vote to confirm him.