Senate GOP leaders are now uncertain about how Sens. Mitch McConnell and Thom Tillis will vote on confirmation for Pete Hegseth as defense secretary tonight, according to people familiar with the matter.
If the two vote no, Hegseth’s nomination will be defeated on the floor, marking the first time that’s happened for a Cabinet nominee since John Tower in 1989.
Both offices have not said publicly how they would vote tonight. McConnell’s office declined to comment to CNN, and Tillis’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Vice President JD Vance could be needed to break a tie on Hegseth, GOP sources said, which would be only the second time in history that a vice president has broken a tie for a Cabinet nominee, the other being Mike Pence, who did so in 2017 for Betsy DeVos to head the education department. Hegseth has been engaged with senators as his confirmation comes down to the wire, according to senior adviser Eric Ueland.
Hegseth has faced a slew of controversies, including allegations of sexual assault, workplace drinking, financial mismanagement and that he was “abusive” toward his second ex-wife.
What to know about Tillis: The North Carolina lawmaker, who is up for reelection in 2026, has been facing relentless pressure behind the scenes today, according to another source familiar with the matter. A source familiar told CNN that Senate Majority Leader John Thune has spoken with Tillis “a few times” Friday as he weighs his decision.
On Thursday, Tillis told CNN he planned to vote to break a filibuster of Hegseth’s nomination and will support Hegseth in a final vote unless “firsthand corroborated testimony” backs up allegations against Hegseth.
What to know about McConnell: The former leader, a national security hawk who has at times sparred with Trump, voted “yes” to break the filibuster on advancing Hegseth, but has not said publicly how he will vote on final confirmation.
Trump has complained that McConnell was “always a no,” leaving some doubt as to his final vote.
It is not uncommon for members of the majority party to vote with their party on procedural votes, like the motion to break the filibuster, even if they are voting against the nominee or legislation in question.
The math for Republicans: Two other GOP senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, have already announced their opposition to Hegseth. With a 53-47 majority, Republicans can only afford to lose three Republican senators and still confirm Hegseth with the tie-breaking vote of Vice President JD Vance.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso was asked by CNN if he was confident that McConnell would vote for Hegseth and that there would be enough votes to confirm him but he would not directly answer the question.
