The Senate confirmed Director of National Intelligence (DNI) nominee Tulsi Gabbard Wednesday morning.
She was confirmed in a vote of 52 to 48, with all Democrats opposing her nomination. Republican Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell joined Democrats and voted against confirming Gabbard.
Some Republican senators once considered key swing-votes ended up supporting Gabbard, including Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Utah Sen. John Curtis.
Gabbard served in the Army National Guard for more than twenty years and is currently a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard. (RELATED: Liberals Spin Senator’s Misstatement Into False Attack On Tulsi Gabbard)
Senators grilled Gabbard on her views of National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden during her January confirmation hearing, but Republicans on the Senate Intelligence Committee ultimately supported her.
The Senate voted Monday to continue her nomination process with a procedural vote. Curtis and McConnell voted in favor after neither originally endorsed Gabbard for the position.
Democratic senators tried unsuccessfully to stop her nomination, including Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and Virginia Sen. Mark Warner. He tweeted Monday that he was spearheading attempts to stop her nomination. (RELATED: Rand Paul Hits Back At Kudlow On Snowden, Says Whistleblower Was ‘Faithful To The Constitution’)
Similarly, Democratic California Sen. Adam Schiff railed against her nomination Monday and called for her rejection.
While several Republicans were slow to support Gabbard, Biden and Obama’s DNIs were confirmed with bipartisan support. Some of the Republicans hesitant to support Biden’s DNI, Avril Haines, for example, ultimately voted for her.
Earlier in February, key senators on the committee confirmed they would support Gabbard. Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins stated prior to the committee vote she would support her nomination, citing her previous concerns about Snowden.
“In response to my questions during our discussion in my office and at the open hearing, as well as through her explanation at the closed hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Ms. Gabbard addressed my concerns regarding her views on Edward Snowden,” Collins said in a statement.
Republican Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford also appeared to have reservations about Gabbard during her hearing, specifically regarding her refusal to call Snowden a traitor. However, he voted for Gabbard during the committee and senate-wide votes.
Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was also speculated to be a potential swing-vote, voted in favor of her confirmation. He stated in January that he would support Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and FBI Director nominee Kash Patel. (RELATED: Trump’s Picks Were Once Victims Of Deep State Abuse. It’s Why They’re Perfect For The Job)
The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed Patel’s committee vote.
The committee will vote to advance him to the floor Thursday, Republican Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin tweeted Monday.
Glad that Collins voted for her. A Dem wouldn’t. Again I say don’t primary Collins.
Hillary Clinton ain’t liking this one little bit .LOL .
Hillary accused Tulsi of being a Russian agent if you remember .
She had her put on the federal no fly list .
Now the shoe is on the other foot and maybe Pam Bondi will indict Clinton for initiating the Russia Russia Hoax and costing the country millions of dollars and years of lost time disproving her false allegations
Hillary Clinton is a liar and a crook and maybe it’s time for some pay back for the pain she has caused
Let the retribution games begin . .
I believe that Robert B. Charles could wipe the floor with Collins in a Maine Republican primary ..
Susan Collins is nothing more than a Democrat disguised as a Republican .
Just like Angus King pretends to be an Independent ….Right !
I will never vote for Collins again regardless who she runs against .
Sen. Mitch McConnell will be join Biden soon
Sen. Adam Schiff has a lot to hide. He is in the same boat as father and son.
Funny how one of the best democrat has to go to work for Trump to get anything done
Bobby Charles needs to primary Collins, he is head and shoulders above ” 2 term” Collins. Otherwise the Republicans stand to lose the seat.
Does Mitch know where he is and that he is voting? Time for Mitch to bow out and get his spot in the nursing home beside his Buddy Joe.
Suzy may have voted in favor of Gabbard, but it was not from the heart! Suzy is in preservation mode now!
Mainers hope that Robert Charles runs for US Senate and you need to help him primary Suzy. She is and always has been a Democrat so maybe she may have the chance to run as one?