JD Vance issues unpaid vote in the Senate to confirm Pete Hegesh as the US Secretary of Defense.

CNN
–

The Senate voted for a narrow margin in favor of confirming Pete Hegseth as secretary of the US Department of Defense, in an important victory for President Donald Trump and his new administration.

Vice President JD Vance cast the 51-50 racing vote after the former Republican leader Mitch McConnell and Republican senators Lisa Murkowski from Alaska and Susan Collins de Maine joined the Democrats to oppose the Hegseth nomination.

It is the second time in history that a vice president breaks a tie for an appointment to the cabinet, the other vice president Mike Pence for the confirmation of Betsy Devos in 2017 to lead the Department of Education.

The Hegesh confirmation process has been involved in accusations of sexual aggression, alcohol abuse and financial management of beneficial organizations for veterans, all of which he has denied. This Friday’s vote marked a significant victory for the Trump government, which has backed Hegseth as his nominee, despite his lack of experience and accusations against him.

Hegseth was in the Senate this Friday night to witness his confirmation vote. As secretary, he has sworn to reform the Pentagon, particularly the policies that “Wake” considers, and expedite the bureaucracy of the department.

Hegesh had been in contact with the senators while his confirmation was decided at the last moment, according to the main advisor Eric Uland, who said there were “many conversations between the designated secretary and many senators.”

With their little majority, Republicans could only afford to lose three republican votes and still confirm Hegseth with a Vance unpaid vote.

While the republican leaders of the Senate were not sure how McConnell and Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina would vote until this Friday afternoon, Tillis finally voted in favor of the appointment.

Hegseth had faced criticism in the days before the vote.

The Senate Minoria leader, Chuck Schumer, criticized Hegesh this Friday morning, calling him “one of those selected to the most erratic, not qualified and inappropriate cabinet that we have seen in modern times” and warning that his confirmation would endanger the “credibility of the Republican majority.”

“It has neither the character, the experience nor the judgment that the work requires,” added the New York Democrat.

Murkowski and Collins issued statements criticizing Hegseth on Thursday, after announcing his opposition to his appointment. Murkowski then told CNN that Hegseth “lacks that strength of character” necessary to lead the Department of Defense.