Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) announced that he will vote to confirm President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, increasing the likelihood that the nominee will become the next Secretary of Defense. .
“The president's choice for Secretary of Defense, Mr. Hegseth, has an excellent academic background, demonstrated excellent demeanor during Senate military hearings, and has had a commendable career in uniform,” Cassidy said in a statement Friday. “There is,” he said.
“He assured me that I would be surrounded by a strong support team,” he added. “I vote for his confirmation.”
Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and military veteran, appeared in a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee this week. He was grilled by Democrats on the committee about his infidelity, his qualifications, his opinions on women in combat, and allegations of drinking alcohol while running a veterans' organization. Mr. Hegseth has consistently denied the allegations.
Republicans on the committee said Hegseth performed well in Tuesday's hearing, with most Republicans expressing confidence in the veteran's appointment to the post.
Even before Cassidy publicly endorsed the candidate, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who was seen as a toss-up vote a few weeks ago, spoke to Simon Conway after the controversial hearing. He said on his radio show that he planned to vote to confirm Trump's nomination.
Hegseth's path to confirmation has received a boost after freshman Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) announced his support for the former Fox News host.
“While some of his past actions give me pause, I have carefully weighed these concerns against his qualifications, leadership style, and commitment to strengthening the world's most respected military.” ” Curtis said in an interview Thursday. statement. “I am confident that Mr. Hegseth shares my vision of ensuring our nation's military is capable of meeting the evolving challenges of the 21st century.”
Democrats would need to persuade one Republican senator on the Armed Services Committee not to vote for Hegseth, but so far no one has expressed such a view.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters after the hearing, “Once he is reported to have left the committee, we will immediately work to remove him from the floor.” Ta.
