Senate Panel to Vote on Gabbard’s DNI Nomination Amid Political Divisions/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former Representative Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) received a boost as Senator Susan Collins voiced her support. However, with Democrats united in opposition and uncertainty among some Republicans, Gabbard’s confirmation remains uncertain. A Senate Intelligence Committee vote on her nomination is set to take place behind closed doors.
Gabbard’s DNI Nomination: Quick Looks
- Collins Backs Gabbard: Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), a moderate Republican, endorsed Gabbard’s nomination, strengthening her bid.
- Senate Intelligence Committee Vote: The committee, with nine Republicans and eight Democrats, will vote privately on whether to advance her nomination.
- Tight Vote Expected: With Democrats opposing Gabbard, she can only afford to lose one Republican vote to proceed to the full Senate.
- Republican Skepticism: Some GOP senators remain undecided, citing Gabbard’s past defense of Edward Snowden and perceived pro-Russia stances.
- Snowden Controversy: As a congresswoman, Gabbard introduced legislation to drop charges against NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, who remains in Russian exile.
- Potential Senate Deadlock: If confirmed by the Senate Intelligence Committee, a full Senate vote could be razor-thin, potentially requiring Vice President JD Vance to break a tie, as he did for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Tulsi Gabbard’s DNI Nomination: A Deep Look
Former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is facing a pivotal moment in her bid to become the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a position overseeing all 18 US intelligence agencies.
On Monday, her nomination received a significant boost when Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), a moderate Republican, announced her support for Gabbard. Collins, who has previously voted against Trump’s nominees, said in a statement:
“I look forward to working with Ms. Gabbard to strengthen our national security.”
Collins’ support comes just one day before the Senate Intelligence Committee’s closed-door vote, where Gabbard faces strong Democratic opposition and lingering Republican doubts.
Challenges in Securing GOP Votes
While Collins’ endorsement strengthens Gabbard’s chances, her confirmation remains uncertain. The Senate Intelligence Committee consists of nine Republicans and eight Democrats. With every Democrat expected to vote against her, Gabbard can only afford to lose one Republican vote to advance.
Some Republican senators have not yet declared their stance, citing concerns over:
- Gabbard’s lack of intelligence experience despite her military background.
- Her past defense of Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who leaked thousands of classified documents and sought asylum in Russia.
- Comments perceived as sympathetic to Russia, raising concerns over her alignment with US foreign policy.
During her Senate hearing, Gabbard repeatedly avoided answering whether she considered Snowden a traitor, instead stating,
“I am focused on the future and how we can prevent something like this from happening again.”
This response failed to satisfy Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and other Republicans critical of Snowden’s actions.
Historical Precedent: Another Close Vote?
If Gabbard advances past the committee, her confirmation in the full Senate could mirror the razor-thin vote for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Last month, Collins was one of three Republicans who opposed Hegseth’s confirmation. The Senate vote ended in a 50-50 tie, requiring Vice President JD Vance to break the deadlock, a rare event in US history.
If Gabbard faces a similar Senate split, Vice President Vance may once again play the deciding role in confirming a top Trump national security pick.
What’s Next for Gabbard?
The Senate Intelligence Committee will vote behind closed doors, determining whether her nomination proceeds to a full Senate vote.
With Collins’ backing but lingering doubts from other Republicans, Gabbard’s fate remains on a knife’s edge. The outcome will determine whether she becomes the top intelligence official in the US, overseeing agencies such as the CIA, NSA, and FBI.
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