美国总统唐纳德·特朗普(Donald Trump)挑选的五角大楼领导人皮特·黑格斯(Pete Hegseth)周四在参议院扫清了一个关键的程序障碍，以推进他的提名。
结束辩论的投票到了最后一刻，尽管黑格斯最终获得了51张共和党人的投票，继续前进。
对黑格斯的最终确认投票现在可能最早于周五或周六早些时候进行。
两名共和党参议员投票反对他:参议员莉萨·穆尔科斯基和苏珊·科林斯。
穆尔科斯基在摊牌前宣布了她的反对意见。
“经过彻底的评估，我必须得出结论，我不能凭良心支持他的国防部长提名，”阿拉斯加州参议员莉萨·穆尔科斯基在x上的一篇帖子中说，“我不是轻易做出这个决定的;我以最严肃的态度履行我的宪法职责，提供建议和同意。”
穆尔科斯基说，她对黑格斯是否有足够的准备来领导最大的政府机构五角大楼没有信心，并对他过去关于女性在军队中的言论提出质疑。
这位阿拉斯加共和党人还提到了性行为不端和酗酒的指控。黑格斯基本上否认了对他的指控，并告诉立法者他是一个“变了的人”
她说，“海格塞斯先生承认的过去的行为，包括在多个场合的不忠，表明他缺乏判断力，这与领导我们武装部队的人是不相称的。”"这些行为与军人应有的价值观和纪律形成了鲜明的对比."
柯林斯在她自己的声明中，也表达了对海格塞思关于军队中女性的观点的担忧。
她说:“经过慎重考虑，我决定投票反对皮特·赫格塞斯的国防部长提名。”“虽然我赞赏他勇敢的兵役和他对我们的军人及其家庭的持续承诺，但我担心他不具备成功完成这项工作所需的经验和视角。”
在周四的一次发言中，参议院军事委员会主席罗杰·威克对赫格塞斯表示支持，称他是“这项工作的合适人选”
本周早些时候，该委员会以14票对13票的微弱优势，沿着政党路线推进了对海格思的提名。
然而，参议院少数党领袖查克·舒默(Chuck Schumer)在投票前的一次发言中抨击了赫格塞斯的提名。
舒默指着针对赫格塞斯的指控，问他的同事，他是不是“凌晨2点在危机中你想在电话另一端找到的人。”
"这是我们拥有的领导世界上最伟大军队的最佳人选吗?"这位民主党人说。
在立法者以74票对25票批准提名约翰·拉特克利夫为中央情报局局长后，就结束关于海格塞斯的辩论进行了投票。拉特克利夫是川普第二个确认的内阁官员。
Pete Hegseth, Trump's Pentagon pick, clears Senate test vote
Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Thursday to advance his nomination.
The vote on ending debate came down to the wire, though Hegseth ultimately secured 51 Republican votes to move forward.
A final confirmation vote on Hegseth could now occur as soon as Friday or early Saturday.
Two GOP senators voted against him: Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins.
Murkowski announced her opposition moments before the showdown.
"After thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination for Secretary of Defense," Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in a post on X. "I did not make this decision lightly; I take my constitutional responsibility to provide advice and consent with the utmost seriousness."
Murkowski said she was not confident Hegseth was sufficiently prepared to lead the Pentagon, which is the largest government agency, and took issue with his past statements concerning women in the military.
The Alaska Republican also referenced allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking. Hegseth has largely denied the accusations against him, and told lawmakers he's a "changed man."
"The past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces," she said. "These behaviors starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers."
Collins, in her own statement, also expressed concerns about Hegseth's view on women in the military.
"After careful consideration, I have decided to vote against Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense," she said. "While I appreciate his courageous military service and his ongoing commitment to our servicemembers and their families, I am concerned that he does not have the experience and perspective necessary to succeed in the job."
In a floor speech on Thursday, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker gave an endorsement of Hegseth, calling him the "right man for the job."
The committee earlier this week narrowly advanced Hegseth's nomination in a 14-13 vote along party lines.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, however, slammed Hegseth's nomination in a floor speech ahead of the vote.
Schumer, pointing to the allegations against Hegseth, asked his colleagues if he's "the guy you want at the other end of the phone at 2 a.m. in a crisis."
"Is this the best man we have to lead the greatest military in the world?" the Democrat said.
The vote on ending debate on Hegseth occurred after lawmakers voted 74-25 to approve the nomination of John Ratcliffe for CIA director. Ratcliffe is Trump's second confirmed Cabinet official.
