Live updates: Senate questions Tulsi Gabbard in confirmation hearing

Nadine YousifNorth America reporter

We’re bringing you updates today from three separate Senate confirmation hearings: Kash Patel, the nominee for FBI director, Tulsi Gabbard, the nominee for intelligence chief, and Robert F Kennedy Jr, the nominee for US health secretary.

All three were chosen by President Donald Trump for these key government roles. But under US law, the president’s nominees must undergo questioning and scrutiny by senators before they are confirmed.

It is part of the “advice and consent” role that the Senate plays under the US constitution, which gives the Senate the authority to review - and either approve or reject - the president’s picks.

At the hearings, the nominees are grilled by a group of senators from both sides of the political aisle about their experience and readiness for the role, as well as their views and how they would carry out their responsibilities.

It has been a busy Thursday afternoon for senators - Patel, Gabbard and Kennedy are all sitting before different Senate committees with their hearings being held simultaneously.

Once these hearings are finished, the Senate committees will vote on whether to recommend the nominees to the full Senate. If passed, the nomination moves to the full Senate for debate and a vote, where Senators can confirm or reject the nominee.

A simple majority of 51 votes is usually required. Republicans currently hold the majority of the Senate, meaning Donald Trump’s picks will likely be confirmed if they have his party’s backing.