The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance FBI director nominee Kash Patel on Thursday, February 13. Though Patel has been one of President Donald Trump’s most controversial nominees – and Democrats delayed as long as they could – this outcome was expected due to the layout of the Senate and the committees.

Initially, this vote was held last Thursday, on the sixth. At that time, however, Democrats invoked panel rules forcing a one-week delay. Patel was thus “held over” until today, when his advancement was inevitably passed by a party-line 12-10 vote.

With this step in the process complete, Patel might see a confirmation vote on the floor as early as next week – a vote which seems almost certain to go his way.