The nomination of Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, advanced in a procedural vote Thursday afternoon, 51-49. Both Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted “no” in a procedural vote on Hegseth’s confirmation Thursday.
Murkowski of Alaska said Thursday she is “unable to support” Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense, becoming the first Republican to state her opposition to President Trump’s nominee ahead of his Senate confirmation vote.
Collins of Maine soon followed in saying she won’t vote for Hegseth, citing his views on women in combat.
Murkowski had been seen on Capitol Hill as a possible “no” vote and had tough questions for Hegseth about his views on women in combat, about his character, and about his lack of an FBI background check.
“The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook,” Murkowsi said in a lengthy statement Thursday. “Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth.”
Murkowski also expressed skepticism over Hegseth’s leadership experience, saying his “limited managerial experience involved running two small non-profit organizations that had decidedly mixed results.”
“After careful consideration, I have decided to vote against Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense,” Collins said in a 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.”
Hegseth fielded tough questions from Democrats over his views on women in the military and an allegation of sexual assault during his confirmation hearing. After Trump announced his nomination, reports surfaced of an alleged sexual assault, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement of veterans’ organizations Hegseth ran. To control the damage and prove his mettle, Hegseth barnstormed the Capitol for meetings with mostly Republican senators.
Murkowski praised his military service and his advocacy for veterans but said those factors “do not alleviate my significant concerns regarding his nomination.”
She pointed to his record in leading two veterans’ organizations, stating that his leadership “was marked with accusations of financial mismanagement and problems with the workplace culture he fostered.”
And Murkowski, noting he had “recently revised his statements on women in combat since being nominated,” said she is still “concerned about the message that confirming Mr. Hegseth sends to women currently serving and those aspiring to join.”
Hegseth needs a simple majority in the Senate to be confirmed, and in the event of a tie, Vice President JD Vance can break it. He can afford to lose no more than three Republicans.
Hegseth won over a key Republican, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, who told an Iowa radio station soon after his confirmation hearing that he had her support.
Murkowski said she’s carefully reviewed Hegseth’s writings and other materials and received “substantial feedback” from constituents, veterans and other organizations.
“After thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination for Secretary of Defense,” she wrote.
Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.
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