(NewsNation) — The U.S. Senate will vote on the nomination of Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense Friday night, one day after two Republicans said they could not support the former combat veteran and Fox News personality serving in the role.
However, Hegseth could still have enough support in the Senate in Friday’s vote, even if one more Republican chooses not to support the nominee. On Thursday, Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced in separate statements why they voted against advancing Hegseth’s nomination following Thursday’s 51-49 Senate vote.
Despite the two GOP defections, Republicans who spoke with NewsNation still believe Hegseth has enough support to secure the nomination. If needed, Vice President JD Vance could cast the tie-breaking vote should another Republican senator follow Murkowski and Collins’ lead.
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Hegseth faces allegations of excessive drinking and aggressive actions toward women, which he has denied. In her statement announcing her decision not to support Hegseth’s nomination, Murkowski mentioned both of the claims levied against Hegseth while Collins said she believed the former television host lacked the experience to serve as defense secretary.
Murkowski’s statement said that Hegseth’s “past behaviors …demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who could lead our armed forces.”
Regardless, other Republican senators expect Hegseth to be ultimately appointed to the role he was nominated for by President Donald Trump.
“Who knows, he may lose one more (Republican),” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told NewsNation. “But I’d be very surprised based on the number of people who have publicly said they are going to support him. … I’d be surprised if we lost another vote.”
