Hegseth is close to being confirmed as the new Secretary of Defense

Pete Hegseth has picked up another key vote for his confirmation President-elect Trumpthe secretary of defense.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said Friday he will vote to confirm Hegseth, an Army combat veteran whose nomination was in question because of his comments questioning the role of women in the ‘army, allegations of sexual misconduct, as well as allegations that he drank alcohol while on the job previously.

Hegseth appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee this week relatively unscathed amid questions from lawmakers.

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President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, speaks during his Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill January 14 in Washington, DC. ((Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images))

“The President’s choice for Secretary of Defense, Mr. Hegseth, has impressive academic credentials, performed very well in the Senate Armed Services hearing, and has a record of service in uniform. He assured me that will be surrounded by a strong support team,” Cassidy said in a statement. “I will vote for his confirmation.”

Hegseth has seen a wave of support from Republicans, including Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, who previously expressed concern about his nomination.

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U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., attends a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on August 5, 2022 in Washington, DC (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Sen. Tommy TubervilleR-Ala., said Hegseth passed his confirmation hearing with “brigadiators.”

“They tried to shock him. They brought out all these anonymous allegations. He had an answer for every one of them,” Tuberville said at the time.

During his proceedings, protesters were dragged away in neckties after disrupting the hearing.

Democratic lawmakers also spoke to Hegseth about his stance on women combat rolesprompting him to reject that his argument regarding women serving in the military focuses on military standards not eroding.

Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) (L) introduces US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, during his Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on 14 January in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

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“I pointed out that I have never looked down on women who serve in the military,” she told Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, DN.Y. “I respect every female service member who has put on the uniform, past and present. My criticisms, senator, recently and in the past, and from personal experience, have been instances where I’ve seen standards lowered.”