Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth‘s Defense Secretary nomination cleared a Senate procedural hurdle, pointing to a likely confirmation for one of Donald Trump‘s most controversial picks. The vote was 51-49.

In a private vote, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved Mr. Hegseth’s nomination strictly along party lines on a vote of 14 to 13, with Republicans voting as a bloc to move it to the floor and Democrats unanimously opposed.

Pete Hegseth needs a simple majority in the Senate for confirmation. With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority, he requires at least 51 votes. Given Senator Murkowski's opposition, Hegseth must secure at least 51 of the remaining 52 GOP votes.

In “The War on Warriors,” published last year, the nominee to head the Pentagon lashes out at “social justice saboteurs” and other fellow Americans.

Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law said in an affidavit to senators on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon abused his second ex-wife to the point where she once hid in a closet and gave friends a code word to use in a crisis.

The former sister-in-law of Pete Hegseth, the nominee for secretary of the U S Department of Defense, has accused him of abusing his ex-wife However, the ex-wife denies there was any physical abuse

Sen. Angus King joined Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee on Monday in voting against the nomination of former Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department of Defense.

Even though Trump has not officially been inaugurated, the Senate can confirm cabinet members before his Oath of Office.

Trump's defence secretary nominee has denied claims of spousal abuse, made by his former-sister in law in an affidavit.

A senator told Hegseth: "I suggest you do a little homework before you prepare for these types of negotiations."

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's choice to head up the Pentagon, faced a Senate confirmation grilling from the Armed Services Committee.