The U.S. Senate narrowly voted on Thursday to advance the nomination of Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and military veteran, to be President Donald Trump's secretary of defense, clearing the way for a vote on his confirmation later this week.

The Senate’s 50-50 vote for Pete Hegseth marked the second time in history that a vice president was called upon to break the tie to confirm a Cabinet official.

The Senate is expected to debate Pete Hegseth’s nomination to serve as President Trump’s Defense secretary on Wednesday afternoon following a procedural vote to advance his nomination.

The US Senate on Friday approved Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trump’s defense secretary by a razor-thin margin, in which, Vice President JD Vance had to cast the tie-breaking vote.

He has denied the accusations, dismissing them as part of a smear campaign in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. On Tuesday, an ex-sister-in-law of Mr. Hegseth submitted a sworn statement to senators accusing him of being “abusive” toward his second wife.

In a dramatic late-night session, the Senate is voting on the nomination of Pete Hegseth as defense secretary who vows to bring a “warrior culture” to the Pentagon despite questions over qualifications and allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior toward women.

The U.S. Senate is poised to narrowly confirm Pete Hegseth's nomination as defense secretary following a close 51-49 Thursday vote. All Democratic senators voted no due to fitness and character issues.