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Tulsi Gabbard Clears Senate Committee Vote, One Step Closer to Becoming the Next Director of National Intelligence

The vote was narrowly passed, 9-8, along party lines.

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Tulsi Gabbard Clears Senate Committee Vote, One Step Closer to Becoming the Next Director of National Intelligence

Former United States Representative Tulsi Gabbard has moved one step closer to becoming the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI) after clearing the Senate Intelligence Committee vote. Her nomination now heads to the full Senate for confirmation, The Hill reported.

The vote was narrowly passed, 9-8, along party lines.

“The Intelligence Committee just voted for Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to be the Director of National Intelligence favourably to the full United States Senate. We look forward to her confirmation and working with her to keep America safe,” Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) told reporters following the closed-door vote, according to The Hill.

The decision came shortly after Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), a key swing vote, announced his support for Gabbard.

In a series of posts on X, Young endorsed her nomination, stating, “I appreciate Tulsi Gabbard’s engagement with me on a variety of issues to ensure that our intelligence professionals will be supported and policymakers will receive unbiased information under her leadership.”

He further wrote, “I have done what the Framers envisioned for senators to do: use the consultative process to seek firm commitments, in this case, commitments that will advance our national security, which is my top priority as a former Marine Corps intelligence officer.”

“Having now secured these commitments, I will support Tulsi’s nomination and look forward to working with her to protect our national security,” Young added.

Gabbard, nominated for the role by former President Donald Trump, is a former Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, Democratic congresswoman, and 2020 presidential candidate who switched to the Republican Party last year. She has, at times, described the tens of thousands of intelligence personnel she would oversee as members of the “deep state.”

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) also expressed her support for Gabbard, further strengthening her path to confirmation. Collins and Young were seen as crucial votes in the committee, The Hill noted.