Senate Set For Final Vote On Tulsi Gabbard Confirmation As Nation’s Top Spy

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC- The U.S. Senate is preparing for a final vote on Tulsi Gabbard’s confirmation as Director of National Intelligence, following a procedural vote on February 10 that advanced her nomination. The motion passed largely along party lines, with 52 Republicans supporting and 46 Democrats opposing it, while two senators were absent.

Gabbard, 43, is a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and the first Hindu elected to Congress. Her nomination has sparked controversy, with critics pointing to her 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, her views on U.S. intelligence operations, her refusal to label NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden a traitor, and past comments perceived as favorable toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During her confirmation hearing, Gabbard defended her qualifications, citing her congressional experience and work with classified intelligence. She also criticized past intelligence failures and emphasized the need for reforms within the intelligence community.