Senate Advances Tulsi Gabbard's Nomination for Intelligence Chief

The Senate has advanced Tulsi Gabbard's nomination as President Trump's Director of National Intelligence with a 52-46 vote, setting the stage for a final confirmation vote expected this week. This nomination has faced scrutiny due to Gabbard's past meetings with controversial figures, including a 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, and her previous support for NSA leaker Edward Snowden. Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Gabbard's commitment to refocusing the intelligence community on its core mission, though concerns remain among some senators regarding her judgment and relevant experience. Despite these concerns, Gabbard's supporters, including Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton, have emphasized her military service and patriotism. Gabbard has made commitments to work with the Senate on intelligence matters, including the reauthorization of FISA Section 702. The final vote on her nomination is anticipated to occur soon, potentially by midnight Tuesday.