Senate GOP leaders are currently uncertain about how Senators Mitch McConnell and Thom Tillis will vote on the confirmation for Pete Hegseth as defense secretary tonight. If both senators vote no, Hegseth's nomination will be defeated on the floor, marking the first time this has happened for a Cabinet nominee since John Tower in 1989.
Both McConnell's and Tillis's offices have not publicly disclosed how they will vote tonight. McConnell's office declined to comment, and Tillis's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Hegseth has been embroiled in a series of controversies, including allegations of sexual assault, workplace drinking, financial mismanagement, and accusations of being abusive toward his second ex-wife.
Tillis, who is up for reelection in 2026, has been under intense pressure behind the scenes today. Tillis previously stated that he planned to vote to break a filibuster of Hegseth's nomination and would support Hegseth in a final vote unless there is firsthand corroborated testimony supporting the allegations against Hegseth.
While McConnell, a national security hawk who has had disagreements with former President Trump, voted to break the filibuster on advancing Hegseth, he has not publicly revealed how he will vote on the final confirmation.
Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with McConnell, suggesting that McConnell may vote against Hegseth. It is common for members of the majority party to vote with their party on procedural votes, even if they ultimately plan to vote against the nominee or legislation in question.
With Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski already announcing their opposition to Hegseth, Republicans can only afford to lose three Republican senators and still confirm Hegseth with the tie-breaking vote of Vice President JD Vance.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso was asked about McConnell's potential vote for Hegseth and whether there would be enough votes to confirm him, but he did not provide a direct answer.
