Tulsi Gabbard is missing critical GOP support to advance from Senate committee
Tulsi Gabbard’s Nomination in Jeopardy as Senate Committee Holds Key Vote
Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic representative nominated by President Donald Trump to be the director of national intelligence (DNI), is facing challenges as she lacks enough votes to advance out of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Sources have confirmed to Fox News Digital that Gabbard does not currently have enough Republican support on the committee to move her nomination forward.
Before any nominee can proceed to a confirmation vote on the Senate floor, they must first go through hearings and have their nominations voted on at the committee level. Gabbard’s confirmation hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, but it appears that she may not have enough votes to advance to the full Senate.
A senior Intel Committee aide revealed that Gabbard does not have a majority of the committee members’ votes, which are necessary for her nomination to move forward. Half of the Republicans on the committee are reportedly undecided on supporting Trump’s pick for DNI.
According to sources, some Republican members are hesitant due to Gabbard’s previous stance on Section 702, her past meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and her defense of Edward Snowden. The uncertainty among GOP members stems from concerns about Gabbard’s judgment on critical national security issues.
In order for Gabbard to advance past the committee, she will likely need the support of every Republican member, assuming that Democrats will vote against her nomination. Senator Tom Cotton, the Republican chair of the committee, has not provided any comments on Gabbard’s nomination.
As Gabbard’s confirmation fate hangs in the balance, there are reports of a push by some Trump-aligned Republican senators to waive the committee’s rules to open the vote on her nomination to the public. The committee’s rules currently require the vote to be conducted in a closed meeting, with the tally released afterward.
Despite the challenges facing her nomination, a spokesperson for Gabbard has reiterated her qualifications for the role of DNI and expressed confidence in her upcoming hearing. The vote on Gabbard’s nomination is expected to proceed in a closed manner, in adherence to the committee’s rules.
In conclusion, Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for director of national intelligence faces obstacles in the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence as she struggles to secure enough votes to advance. The outcome of her confirmation hearing will be closely watched as she navigates the challenging path to potentially becoming the next DNI.
