Democrats delayed

Muhamad Yehia

A potential swing vote for two of President Donald Trump’s nominees disappeared on Feb. 6 as Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) announced that he opposes Trump’s picks for national security adviser and health secretary.

Fetterman said on the social media platform X that he will be voting against the nominations of Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“I have met with most of the cabinet nominees and have carefully watched their confirmation hearings,” Fetterman wras attorney general. He was the only Democrat to vote yes.

Fetterman also advanced out of committee the nomination of Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, although he ultimately voted against him. As several Republicans also opposed Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance stepped in to break a 50–50 tie1/27/2025

The senator has increasingly broken with Democrats in recent months, leading to speculation he would leave the Democratic Party and bolster the GOP majority. Fetterman has said he will not be leaving the party.

Gabbard, 43, is a former Democratic Party representative who has failed to garner support from her former party members. Her nomination was advanced in a 9–8 vote by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Feb. 4, with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who opposed Hegseth, announcing she would vote for Gabbard.

That same day, in a similarly narrow vote, the Senate Finance Committee advanced the nomination of Kennedy, whom Trump has chosen to become the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Some Republicans who had expressed concern over Kennedy leading the department—including Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a doctor—voted to advance his nomination.

The full Senate votes on both nominees are expected before the end of February.

On Thursday, Senate Democrats delayed the committee vote on another of Trump’s nominees.

Democrats put a hold on the nomination of Kash Patel as FBI director, which may delay the vote from the Senate Judiciary Committee until at least Feb. 13.

The Senate has so far confirmed about a dozen of Trump’s nominees, including Russ Vought as budget director on Thursday night.

Other nominees yet to be confirmed include Elise Stefanik, chosen to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Todd Blanche, selected to be deputy attorney general.

Fetterman Says He Will Vote Against Trump Nominees RFK Jr., Gabbard

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