Senate Confirms Hegseth for Defense Secretary After Vance Casts Tie-Breaker

The Epoch Times Header

The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the new secretary of defense in a late-night session on Jan. 24 that came down to a tie-breaking decision from Vice President JD Vance after Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) voted no.

President Donald Trumpโ€™s nominee initially deadlocked in a 50-50 vote, capping off a contentious confirmation process in which Hegseth faced questions about his views on women serving in combat, as well as allegations of alcoholism, sexual assault, and financial mismanagement at two veteran nonprofit organizations.

The vice president is the president of the Senate and has the sole power to cast a tie-breaking vote when necessary.

It was only the second such tie-breaking vote in the history of cabinet secretary confirmations, after Betsy DeVosโ€™s confirmation for secretary of education at the start of the first Trump administration in 2017.

Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) broke ranks with their fellow Republicans to oppose Hegsethโ€™s confirmation. They had signaled their opposition ahead of the hearing late on Jan. 24.

McConnell issued a statement after his vote explaining why he opposed the nomination.

โ€œThe most consequential cabinet official in any Administration is the Secretary of Defense. In the face of the gravest threats to U.S. national security interests since World War II, this position is even more important today,โ€ the Kentucky Republican wrote.

McConnell said the United States faces threats from multiple adversaries, including Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.

โ€œIn public comments and testimony before the Armed Services Committee, Mr. Hegseth did not reckon with this reality,โ€ he wrote.

Trump celebrated Hegsethโ€™s confirmation, telling reporters in Los Angeles, โ€œWeโ€™re very happy about that, we appreciate everyoneโ€™s vote.โ€

When asked for a reaction to McConnellโ€™s no vote, Trump replied that he didnโ€™t know about the development.

โ€œI just heard that we won. Winning is what matters, right?โ€ he said.

In the minutes before the vote, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) urged his colleagues to vote against the nomination, while Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) made the opposite case, noting that Hegseth had grappled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Hegseth, 44, served in the National Guard from 2002 to 2021. He served as an infantry officer and saw combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan before retiring from service at the rank of major.

Throughout the confirmation process, Hegseth has said his focus will be on expanding the warrior ethos of the U.S. military.

โ€œ[Trump], like me, wants a Pentagon laser-focused on lethality, meritocracy, warfighting, accountability, and readiness,โ€ Hegseth said in his opening remarks at his Jan. 14 confirmation hearing.

By Ryan Morgan and Nathan Worcester

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

More Proof, the Democratic Party is Imploding!

Jason Pizzo, the leading Democrat in the Florida Senate announced his departure from the Democratic Party saying he sees the party as dead in Florida.

American Psychiatric Association vs. MAHA: Shots Fired

When Trump formed the MAHA Commission, the parameters were so reasonable that it was hard to imagine how the biomedical establishment could object.

Evaluating Foreign Affairsโ€™ Warning About The Risks Of An Emboldened & Remilitarized Germany

Foreign Affairs warned earlier this month that an emboldened...

9 Things to Know About UK Supreme Court Ruling on Sex, Gender

Britainโ€™s highest court has ruled that the words โ€œwomanโ€ and โ€œsexโ€ refer to โ€œa biological woman and biological sex,โ€ in a landmark decision.

Chinese Exporters Begin to Feel Pain of Tariffs as Containers Stack Up

Chinaโ€™s exporters are scrambling to find domestic buyers for their consumer goods as orders from the U.S. have dried up during an escalating trade war.

News

Judge Blocks Removal of Potential Deportees From Texas District

Federal judge temporarily restrained Trump admin from removing individuals from Southern District of Texas in attempt to deport Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act.

Former Rep. George Santos Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Prison

Former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was sentenced on April 25 to more than 7 years in federal prison on wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.

Dozens of House Democrats Seek Answers on DOGE Report

House Dems sent letter to Trump admin seeking answers regarding โ€œwhistleblower reportโ€ from federal labor board staffer with allegations against DOGE.

FBI Arrests Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan Over Obstructing, Kash Patel Says

FBI arrested a Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, circuit judge for allegedly assisting an illegal immigrant in evading arrest, FBI Director Kash Patel said.

Former New Mexico Judge, Wife Arrested Over Alleged Evidence Tampering

Inmate bookingreports released by Doรฑa Ana County Detention Center show Judge Cano and his wife were arrested for evidence tampering.

Judge Blocks Trump Admin Effort to Remove DEI From Public Schools

Before deadline for states to certify DEI programs have ended in public schools, a federal court halted Trump adminโ€™s requirement, siding with NEA teachersโ€™ union.

Trumpโ€™s Agenda Faces Pushback Amid Legal Battles

Trump faces onslaught of challenges to his agenda, some reaching the nationโ€™s highest court and could ultimately shape US legal landscape.

Texas Governor Signs โ€˜Texas DOGEโ€™ Into Law to Cut Regulations, Boost Government Efficiency

Texas Gov. Abbott signed Regulatory Reform and Efficiency Act to streamline govt processes and reduce regulatory burden on businesses and residents.
spot_img

Related Articles