The Senate held a trio of high-profile hearings for Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Kash Patel last week.
Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee for FBI director, will likely face the easiest confirmation path of the three. He appears to have the support of the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Also, the three Republicans who voted against Pete Hegseth’s nomination have not outwardly expressed opposition.
In his hearing, Kennedy appeared to get the support of some centrist Republicans, such as Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC). However, he also caused hesitancy in other key voters, including Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA). A wildcard in the Kennedy hearings could be Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who has voted for several Trump nominees and has expressed an open mind on Kennedy.
However, Gabbard may have trouble getting a committee vote. During her hearing last Thursday, Gabbard received tough questioning from both parties concerning her opinion of former NSA contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden, including from Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Todd Young (R-IN).
Warner repeatedly asked Gabbard if she supported a pardon for Snowden, pointing out legislation that Gabbard introduced in an attempt to get his charges dropped.
“Edward Snowden broke the law,” Gabbard said. “He also released information that exposed the United States government’s illegal programs.”
Collins also pressed Gabbard on a possible Snowden pardon, citing a 2020 bill that she introduced that would have expanded protections for espionage whistleblowers. Collins also asked Gabbard if she had any connection to the terrorist group Hezbollah.
“No, and it is an absurd accusation,” Gabbard replied.
Young revisited the discussion on Snowden, stating his belief that the leaks harmed national security.
In response, Gabbard repeated that she believed the manner in which Snowden released the information was wrong. She also mentioned that Snowden still exposed corruption in the government, such as the National Security Agency spying on people in the United States.
Gabbard needs Collins’s and Young’s votes if she wants to pass the committee. Neither senator has expressed a position on the nomination.
After previously calling Young a “deep state puppet” in a now-deleted X post, Elon Musk expressed optimism for the committee vote after a phone call with Young, saying, “Todd Young will be a great ally in restoring power to the people from the vast, unelected bureaucracy.”
If Gabbard passes the committee vote, she will then need to win over the majority of centrist Republican senators to ensure her confirmation.
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Unlike the Kennedy hearings, where he is more likely to pass his committee vote and face his challenge in the full Senate vote, Gabbard’s biggest challenge will be passing the committee. If Gabbard passes the committee unscathed, it is likely that other Senate Republicans will fall in line for the full vote.
Confirmation is by no means impossible, but Gabbard faces an uphill climb. The way in which Collins and Young vote will be an indication of Gabbard’s support before the full Senate.