Trump defense pick Hegseth narrowly survives US Senate test vote

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -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 tally was 51-49 in the 100-member Senate on a procedural measure to end debate, as all but two of Trump's fellow Republicans voted in favor of moving ahead on the nomination despite new allegations about his personal conduct.

Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins joined every Democrat and independent in voting no.

As of now, the Senate is due to vote on whether to confirm Hegseth late on Friday.

One of the most divisive nominees among Trump's cabinet picks, Hegseth was confirmed despite Democrats' concern about his lack of management experience and multiple allegations - which he denied - of inappropriate personal conduct and heavy drinking.

If he is confirmed to take charge at the Pentagon, officials would be closely watching whether he shakes up the military's uniformed leadership, how he deals with personnel issues like women in combat roles, and where he stands on major foreign policy issues like the war in Ukraine, competition with an increasingly assertive China and tensions in the Middle East.

Trump has put extensive pressure on his fellow Republicans to back the 44-year-old, and most Senate Republicans quickly fell into line to defend a nominee they said would restore a "warrior" mentality to the U.S. military.

Hegseth has criticized diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the military, and, in his latest book, questioned whether the top U.S. general has the job because he is Black.

For years, Hegseth also strongly opposed women in combat roles but walked back that stance as he courted support for his confirmation.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Richard Cowan, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Diane Craft and Nick Zieminski)