Republicans say they are confident that Hegseth, who has been accused of alcohol and domestic abuse, will ultimately be confirmed to lead the Pentagon.

WASHINGTON—Two centrist Republican senators said they opposed the nomination of President Trump’s defense-secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, injecting new drama into what was expected to be a nail-biter of a vote Friday.

Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Thursday to advance his nomination.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said on Thursday she can't support Pete Hegseth to be President Donald Trump's secretary of Defense.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska became the first Republican to come out against Pete Hegseth ’s nomination to become the Secretary of Defense.

Pete Hegseth is on track to be secretary of defense, despite Murkowski's opposition. He has denied multiple allegations of alcohol abuse, financial mismanagement and violence against women.

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski announced that she would not back President Donald Trump’s controversial Pentagon nominee, and Maine Senator Susan Collins has also voiced her disapproval.

Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins on Thursday became the first Republicans to say they won't vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary. Plus, a federal judge in Seattle temporarily stalled President Trump's plans to end birthright citizenship,

The Alaska Republican plans to vote against the confirmation of Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense.

Senators voted 51-49 to advance Hegseth's defense secretary bid, which has been mired in a series of controversies. Two Republicans are opposed to Hegseth.

The nomination of Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, advanced in a procedural vote Thursday afternoon, 51-49. Both Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted "no" in a procedural vote on Hegseth's confirmation Thursday.