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

Pete Hegseth picked up another key voice for quality confirmation President-elect TrumpMinister of Defense.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said Friday he would vote to confirm Hegsett, an Army combat veteran whose candidacy has been in question because of his comments questioning the role of women in the military, allegations of sexual misconduct, and also allegations that he drank alcoholic beverages while working at previous jobs.

Hegseth appeared before Senate Committee on Armed Services this week relatively unscathed amid questions from legislators.

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President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, testifies during a Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on January 14 in Washington, DC. ((Photo by Andrew Harnick/Getty Images))

“Mr. Hegsett, the President’s choice for Secretary of Defense, has an excellent academic background, performed very well in Senate Armed Services hearings and has a commendable record of uniformed service. He assured me that he would surround himself with a strong support team,” Cassidy said in a statement. “I will vote to approve him.”

Hegseth has received 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, D-Louisiana, attends a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on August 5, 2022. in Washington, DC. (Kevin Deitch/Getty Images)

Sen. Tommy Tubervilleof Alabama, said Hegseth passed his confirmation hearing “with flying colors.”

“They tried to catch him. They made all these anonymous accusations. He had an answer for every one of them,” Tuberville said at the time.

During his trial, protesters were dragged out by neckties after disrupting the hearing.

Democratic lawmakers also criticized Hegsett over his stance on women combat roleswhich prompted him to abandon the fact that his argument related to women serving in the military centers on the fact that military standards are not collapsing.

Representative Michael Waltz, right, left, introduces U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegsett, during a Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill January 14 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

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“I would like to point out that I have never disparaged women in the military,” he told Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, DN.Y. “I respect every military woman in uniform, past and present. My criticism, Senator, recently and in the past, and from personal experience, have been instances where I have seen a lowering of standards.”