Gabbard, RFK Jr., Patel High Courts, which consume Hill Capitol

The ears-mania consumes Capitol Hill on Thursday, as a trio of President Trump’s best allies appears for confirmation clashes of great bets with senators who could make or break their chances of reaching the finish line.

TLosi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump’s nominees.

“It’s huge,” said Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Member of the Senate Committee of Health, Education, Work and Pensions (HELP), which Kennedy will appear earlier. “Tomorrow we will separate men from the boys.”

Much of the care will be focused on Gabbard, the Trump selection to convert the director of National Intelligence (DNI), whose odds of confirmation are the odds of confirmation considered the most agitated Of the selections of the President in the midst of increasing questions of the skeptical Republicans of the Senate, some of which are in the intelligence group.

These questions had largely surrounded the 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad since his disposal and emphasized the war between Ukraine and Russia, which were considered supporters to Moscow.

However, the Senate Republicans have also noted their concern about Gabbard’s position in Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Law, which allows the vigilance without guarantee of foreign goals. Gabbard voted against the re -authorization of the program as a member of the House and five years ago requested his repeal, but says that he has changed his position since.

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), however, does not think that his position has changed. Collins is on the Intelligence Committee, which he will listen to Gabbard on Thursday and then decide if he should move on to the ground.

Gabbard cannot afford to lose GOP votes in the committee, and with Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) Also considered a swing vote in the group that Republicans said that Gabbard has to use on Thursday as a Opportunity to convince members that he is right for work.

“Theirs will be the most guarded outside the bat,” said Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) A friend of the DNI candidate. “It will be the biggest challenge. She was very bullish (Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth). I’m very bullish in Kash. I’m very bullish (Kennedy).”

“We still have a lot of work with Tullesi,” Mullin added. “I still think it can be confirmed, but there are still some people to talk to.”

Republicans also maintain the opportunity to advance Gabbard’s candidacy on the floor, even if he receives an unfavorable recommendation or no recommendation, according to Mullin, which is a narrow ally of both Trump and the leader of most Senate, John Thune. (Rs.d.)).

“I think the president will want this plant vote,” Mullin added.

As for Kennedy, it will appear on the second consecutive day before a group of senators, after Senate’s finance committee plate resistance On Wednesday, on his candidacy for the Department of Health and Human Services.

The former party of independent presidency candidates will be presented to the help committee of what is expected to be a second day of intense questions from the Democrats, who addressed him in his history of comments on vaccines and l. ‘Abortion, among other topics.

Although the Republicans of the Finance Committee, who will vote for their confirmation, appeared largely without numerous in their candidacy, there is a wild card: Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

Cassidy, who is on the Finance Committee and chairs the help group, and is a doctor himself, he attended almost Wednesday’s eyes: a rarity for a senator who is not president. His question also revealed Kennedy’s unknown with Medicare and Medicaid, two healthcare programs that he would supervise HHS.

The Louisiana Republican is also re -election in 2026 and is looking at a primary challenge after voting to condemn Trump for his actions on January 6, 2021.

“There is a campaign to protect RFK,” said a source near Trump’s team. “The Maga verse has been the line, especially in Cassidy.”

“Cassidy can get Joni Ernst’s treatment of:” Hey, vote better for him or have a problem, “the source added, referring to Trump’s allies pressing the Iowa Republican to vote for Hegseth’s confirmation.

Cassidy rejectedTo ask questions about Kennedy after sight.

Republicans who saw some of the sight, however, believed that Kennedy’s possibilities for confirmation remain in a good place and will finally get the green light on the ground.

“(Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren) They put their grill quite hard. It seemed like it did well, “said Senator Kevin Cramer (RN.D.), adding that Kennedy will be OK if a Wednesday repeat.” I don’t think he had hurt himself. “

Patel will be presented to the Senate Judicial Committee in the hope of maintaining its GOP support level to become the next FBI director in the coming weeks.

For all comments alarmed by Democrats and some Republicans Over the years, Patel has maintained a low profile since Trump named him in the site in November, giving it a boost with GOP members who will control his destination.

Democrats, however, have tried to raise it in recent weeks, hoping to promote the four Republicans needed to oppose it.

“I think we tasted it from last week,” said Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO.), Member of both the judicial committees and the aid, pointing to the view of PAM Bondi to lead the Department of Justice that included Numerous mentions of Patel.

“I’m sure this will be this series of stories of terror and a lot of outrage,” Hawley continued. “What he has to do is … talk about how he will return to the FBI in the fight against crime.”

Patel will need all the help you can get next to the GOP, as the Democrats on the panel promise a rarreic terrestrial theme in a long -step attempt to demolish their candidacy.

“We will introduce it to the American people,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Con.), Pointing to Patel’s “list of enemies” and plans to pay them, among other reasons. “And they will not like it.”

Alex Gangitano contributed.

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