Tulsi Gabbard, the former U.S. Representative, has passed the Senate Intelligence Committee vote for her nomination as the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI), bringing her one step closer to Senate confirmation, according to The Hill. The vote was a narrow 9-8, split along party lines.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) spoke to reporters after the closed-door vote, saying, “The Intelligence Committee just voted favorably on Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to be the Director of National Intelligence. We look forward to her confirmation and working with her to keep America safe.”
The vote followed an announcement by Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), a key swing vote, who expressed his support for Gabbard. Young endorsed Gabbard’s nomination through a series of posts on X, stating, “I appreciate Tulsi Gabbard’s engagement with me on a variety of issues to ensure that our intelligence professionals will be supported and policymakers will receive unbiased information under her leadership.”
Young emphasized his role in the consultative process, writing, “I have done what the Framers envisioned for senators to do: use the consultative process to seek firm commitments, in this case, commitments that will advance our national security, which is my top priority as a former Marine Corps intelligence officer.” He concluded, “Having now secured these commitments, I will support Tulsi’s nomination and look forward to working with her to protect our national security.”
Gabbard, nominated for the position by President Donald Trump, is a former Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, Democratic congresswoman, and 2020 presidential candidate who switched to the Republican Party last year. Throughout her career, she has occasionally referred to intelligence personnel as members of the “deep state.”
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) also voiced her support for Gabbard, further paving the way for her confirmation. Both Collins and Young were considered crucial votes in the committee’s decision, as reported by The Hill.
