Senate Prepares for Contentious Hegseth Confirmation Vote (Full Transcript)

Speaker 1: latest on President Trump's nominee for defense secretary Pete Hegseth. Republican senators are nearly all united behind him as he faces a confirmation vote tonight. Our senior political correspondent Rachel Scott is on Capitol Hill with more. Good morning, Rachel.

Speaker 2: Rebecca, good morning to you. Pete Hegseth is expected to be confirmed by the Senate to become the next defense secretary. But in the final hours, two Republican senators made it clear they will not be supporting his nomination. This morning, President Donald Trump's embattled nominee for defense secretary inching closer to confirmation. The motion passes. Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth set to face his final confirmation vote late tonight after narrowly surviving a key test vote. But two Republicans joining every Democrat to vote against him. Republican senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine both saying Hegseth's limited experience in personal conduct mean they cannot support him. Murkowski writing his lack of judgment is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces. In particular, the four term Republican pointing to his admitted infidelity and allegations of excessive drinking and sexual assault, both of which he denies. Sources now confirming Hegseth paid $50,000 to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017 as part of their settlement agreement. Hegseth denies he assaulted her, saying that it was consensual and that he only agreed to the settlement because he feared the allegations would hurt his career. Mr. Hegseth has denied it all. I've known Pete for a long time. He'll do a great job. Another issue for both female senators, his views on women in combat roles. I'm straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. The Army veteran later walking that back, saying he opposed quotas for women and minorities serving in certain roles, which the Pentagon has made clear do not exist. Mr. Hegseth, I'm quoting you from the podcast. Women shouldn't be in combat at all. Senator Collins now writing, I am not convinced that his position on women serving in combat roles has changed. President Trump brushing off the opposition. No surprises there. It's too bad.

Speaker 3: The way it is too bad.

Speaker 2: So Hegseth can only afford to lose three Republican senators. Murkowski and Collins make two. We're also going to be watching Senator Mitch McConnell tonight. He could be a wild card in all of this, but either way, Republican leadership is very confident he has

Speaker 4: the votes, George. And Rachel, perhaps this should go in the no surprises column as well, but a Republican member of Congress has introduced a resolution to amend the constitution so President Trump can run for a third term. Yeah, this is coming from Congressman

Speaker 2: Andy Ogles of Tennessee. He has now proposed this resolution to amend the constitution to allow presidents who are serving non-consecutive terms to run and be elected for a third term. This is considered a long shot here. It would have to be passed by both chambers with a two thirds vote. It also needs to be ratified by 38 states, but either way, George, it is notable. This is being proposed by a Republican who is very loyal to Donald Trump.

Speaker 4: No question about it. Okay, Rachel, thanks very much.