Donald Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, is facing stiff criticism from Democrats—but most Republicans back him.

Joni Ernst had been seen as a key hurdle to Pete Hegseth’s confirmation. She approached her questions firmly but without confrontation Tuesday.

Iowa's Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said Tuesday she will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department of Defense, ending weeks of speculation about whether she would stand in opposition to President-elect Donald Trump.

Ernst, an Army veteran and rape survivor, had previously expressed concerns over Hegseth’s past comments about women in combat roles and the allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against

Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth will publicly face senators on Tuesday for the ... So attention will be on the two female Iraq War veterans on the committee — Republican Joni Ernst of Iowa and Democrat Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who lost both ...

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Iowa Senator Joni Ernst could be the key to securing Pete Hegseth’s path to Secretary of Defense. But the Trump-nominated veteran and former TV host has no shortage of controversy in his past. As for Ernst, there are number of reasons why her vote could be the difference.

The Iowa Republican’s decision dramatically increases the likelihood that Mr. Hegseth will have enough votes to be confirmed as President-elect Donald J. Trump’s defense secretary.

GOP Sen. Joni Ernst, a key vote on Pete Hegseth's confirmation as secretary of defense, said Tuesday she is supporting his nomination.

"I will be supporting President Trump's pick for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth," Ernst told Iowa radio host Simon Conway. Hegseth "was adequately able to answer questions on the issues," she said. Ernst, along with Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and ...

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst announced that she would vote for Pete Hegseth to become Defense Secretary, making his path to Senate confirmation much easier.

GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she "cannot in good conscience" support Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense, and she and Sen. Susan Collins voted "no" on his nomination in a procedural vote.