The Senate voted largely along party lines Monday to advance Elbridge Colby, President Trump’s controversial pick to serve as the Defense Department under secretary for policy, overcoming the private concerns of several Republican senators about Colby’s past statements.

The chamber voted 53-39 to limit debate on the nominee.

Notably, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), an outspoken advocate for projecting American military strength throughout the world and supporting NATO allies, voted for Colby, reflecting the general shift in sentiment in favor of Colby over recent weeks.

Several Democrats voted for the nominee, including Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Elissa Slotkin (Mich.), two lawmakers from swing states who also sit on the Armed Services panel.

Colby was passed out of the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month in a closed-door vote.

The committee didn’t announce its vote tally, but it’s safe to assume that all........

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