Posted on 01/23/2025 9:09:05 PM PST by SeekAndFind
WASHINGTON—Two centrist Republican senators said they opposed the nomination of President Trump’s defense-secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, injecting new drama into what was expected to be a nail-biter of a vote Friday.
In a statement Thursday, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said Hegseth’s “nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook,” pointing to worries about his character and his lack of experience running large organizations, as well as his past opposition to women serving in combat roles in the military. “I cannot in good conscience support his nomination,” she said.
Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine) followed with her own statement. “While I appreciate his courageous military service and his ongoing commitment to our servicemembers and their families, I am concerned that he does not have the experience and perspective necessary to succeed in the job,” Collins said.
Republicans control the Senate, 53-47. If Democrats unite against Hegseth, he can’t afford more than three “no” votes from Republicans. In a procedural vote Thursday, the Senate voted 51 to 49 to advance the pick, with Collins and Murkowski joining Democrats in opposition. Some Republicans who voted to advance the confirmation Thursday haven’t committed to supporting Hegseth on final passage Friday.
The expected tight margin contrasts with the unanimous confirmation vote for Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Inauguration Day. Central Intelligence Agency pick John Ratcliffe was confirmed easily on Thursday, 74-25.
Hegseth’s nomination has been controversial since Trump announced him as the pick last year, but the tide turned in his favor after a series of meetings with GOP senators, boosted by a pressure campaign from Trump allies.
At a contentious confirmation hearing last week, Hegseth said he wasn’t perfect but dismissed questions about his character and qualifications as an anonymous “smear campaign”
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
The entire point of the 2024 US Senate steals was about letting those two Lefty cows dictate policy to The Trump.
What would Murkoski or Collins know about Morality or fitness to serve?
Those two are paid off hags. I detest them.
Just happen to be WOMEN too - a PERFECT example of Tribalism, where the ‘tribe’ (women, in this case) is put ahead of EVERYTHING ELSE, including country.
So, what graft or quid-pro-quos are the RINOs trying to extract in return for their "Aye" votes?
Sister golden hair surprise!
Does the Senate have any rules regarding mental capacity of Senators to vote? If so, and McConnell votes against Hegseth, I think a Senator should call for a mental acuity test for him and try to deny him votes.
Is this article by WSJ an op-ed or a supposed “news” piece?
Benny Johnson(whoever that is) said that China Mitch was joining the evil twins.
Methinks we won’t be hearing from ol’ Benny again.
Kinda like the blowhard Bannon who predicted Elon would be gone before the inauguration.
Your post is asinine. You (admittedly) know nothing of Benny Johnson.
Murkowski should have lost her primary to her much more conservative opponent.
But, McConnell flooded her campaign coffers with PAC money, and RINOS like Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott endorsed her.
Another great opportunity to get rid of a royal pain in the a*s.
The ya ya sisterhood at it again. This is why women have no place as Presidents, Judges, Congressfools or Senators. And it’s also why they are never allowed in the mafia.
They always take the deal and you get the chair.
I know enough to know that he was stirring folk up claiming China Mitch was going to vote with Collins and Murkowski.
Which was to use your term was an asinine claim.
McConnell would do anything to injure Trump but he is not going to vote against Pete unless he had the votes to take him down.
Susan Collins has been a U.S. senator for 28 years.
Lisa Murkowski has been a U.S. senator for 23 years.
The voters are stuck on stupid.
I’m guessing that you know little about Bannon.
That guy puts his money where his mouth is...
He wouldn’t comply with a subpoena from Congress and testify against President Trump, so he was sent to prison for 4 months, as was Peter Navarro.
Try to get out more and stand firm for some worthy principles. Support those from our side - MAGA!
[Sister golden hair surprise!]
Gosh I miss the 1970s. I was hoping to meet Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Buckley when they performed locally, but alas, I missed my chance.
I always wondered what happened to the 3rd guy. Then I found out about Dan Peek.
I remember seeing America perform “You Can Do Magic” on SCTV way back - around 1980 or so.
How ironic will it be that Fetterman is the vote that saves Trump.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Susan Collins
Mitch McConnell in two bodies / two skirts
He went to jail to help his brand.
He is a bitter wannabe Washington insider at heart rejected by the GOPe elites and struck up with Trump because Trump had to beat the rigged nomination system set up by the Washington elites.
Naval intelligence, Georgetown national security studies, and Goldman Sachs makes the guy a smart cookie.
But those are not the places where you find genuine America First populists.
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