The Senate is scheduled to hold a final confirmation vote on Pete Hegseth's nomination for defense secretary on Friday, a day after the nomination narrowly advanced with two Republicans opposed.
Hegseth's approval is expected. In Thursday's procedural vote, only Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted against him. If all Democrats vote “no,” Hegseth can afford to leave the Republican Party three times.
Murkowski cited “serious concerns” about the bid, and Collins said his background and lack of management experience led to his vote.
Unless senators reach an agreement to curtail debate, a final vote will take place Friday night, which could be difficult given Democrats' opposition to Hegseth.
During the Senate's deliberations, President Trump left the White House for his first trip since taking office, visiting disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina and California.
During his October campaign, the president was in Asheville, North Carolina, surveying the damage caused by Tropical Storm Helen, and plans to return to the area to get the latest information. He then traveled to Los Angeles to witness the devastation caused by the wildfires that broke out earlier this month, killing 28 people and destroying thousands of structures.
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would greet his political opponents when he stepped off Air Force One.
The trip comes at a dizzying pace for President Trump, who has already taken influential steps to rebuild his government, including abolishing diversity programs, mobilizing the military to fight illegal immigration and declaring the United States is withdrawing from international alliances. It's the end of a week.
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