Tulsi Gabbard confirmation fate to be tested with key committee vote

Tulsi Gabbard faces a crucial test of her odds for Senate confirmation on Tuesday as the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence considers her nomination for director of national intelligence by President Donald Trump. Gabbard, a former Democrat congresswoman, appeared before the committee last week where she was grilled about her past meeting with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, her stance on FISA Section 702, and her support for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.

During the confirmation hearing, Gabbard notably refused to label Snowden as a traitor, sparking controversy among committee members. The committee is set to vote on Gabbard’s nomination on Tuesday, with Intel Committee Chair Tom Cotton continuing to support her nomination. However, at least one key Republican senator, Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, has not disclosed how he plans to vote on the nomination.

Young’s uncertainty about Gabbard’s nomination drew criticism from Trump-aligned billionaire Elon Musk, who called him a “deep state puppet” in a now-deleted post. However, Musk later retracted his statement after a conversation with Young, expressing confidence in the senator’s support for Gabbard.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Young’s vote, Gabbard has garnered endorsements from several Republican committee members, including Sen. James Lankford and Sen. John Cornyn. Moderate GOP Sen. Susan Collins also announced her support for Gabbard, citing her commitment to returning the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to its intended size.

Collins’ support is crucial for Gabbard’s nomination, as she will likely need the backing of every Republican on the committee to advance. None of the Democrat senators have indicated they will vote in favor of Gabbard’s nomination, making Republican support essential for her confirmation.

As the committee prepares to vote on Gabbard’s nomination, all eyes are on the Republican members to see if they will unite in support of the controversial nominee. Gabbard’s confirmation remains uncertain, but with key endorsements and potential defectors, the outcome of Tuesday’s vote will determine her fate as the potential director of national intelligence.