On Monday, the U.S. Senate took a step forward in approving former Representative Tulsi Gabbard as the director of national intelligence. This move is part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing effort to secure confirmations for his nominees, even those facing challenges.

The Senate voted 52-46 in favour of limiting debate on Gabbard’s nomination, surpassing the simple majority required. This decision sets the stage for a final confirmation vote later this week. The voting followed party lines, with Democrats opposing Gabbard's nomination advancement and all Republicans supporting it. Many Republicans have supported Gabbard, even though some doubt her intelligence experience and worry about her past statements that seemed supportive of U.S. rivals. Last week, the Senate Intelligence Committee narrowly approved her nomination for a full Senate vote, with a close 9-8 decision along party lines. Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged support for Gabbard's nomination, praising her for agreeing to reduce the size of the DNI's office as part of the Trump administration's effort to reduce the size of other government agencies. 

“I look forward to confirming Gabbard this week,” Thune said. Some senators questioned Trump's decision last year to appoint Gabbard, a veteran of the Army National Guard, to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. Their concerns stemmed from the fact that she had never served on an intelligence committee. They also doubted her suitability for the role due to past comments that seemed supportive of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and her defence of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, whom she visited in Syria while he was under U.S. sanctions.

“Tulsi Gabbard is a walking five-alarm fire, and must be rejected, must be,” Democratic Senator Adam Schiff said in a Senate speech after the procedural vote. During her confirmation hearing, Gabbard was questioned by senators from both parties about her past support for Edward Snowden, a former U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) contractor, and her remarks that were seen as favourable toward Russia. While serving in the House of Representatives, Gabbard proposed a bill to drop criminal charges against Snowden. He had leaked thousands of highly classified NSA documents, then fled to China before seeking asylum in Russia. 

Republicans have recently praised Gabbard for saying she would take legal action against leakers while dismissing concerns about her past comments on Russia and Syria. When the 100-member Senate votes on her confirmation, which is expected early Wednesday morning, Gabbard cannot afford to lose more than three Republican votes if Democrats stay united against her.