Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) put the procedural wheels in motion to confirm embattled secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth by the end of the week.

Senate Republicans are moving ahead quickly on Hegseth’s nomination despite an affidavit from his former sister-in-law obtained by Senate Democrats that accuses him of having an alcohol problem and being abusive to his ex-wife Samantha Hegseth.

Samantha Hegseth issued a statement to NBC News denying there was “physical abuse” in their marriage.

Thune on Tuesday filed a motion to end debate on Pete Hegseth’s nomination, which was voted out of the Senate Armed Services Committee on a party-line, 14-13 vote a few hours after President Trump took the oath of office.

That means the Senate will vote to advance Hegseth’s nomination sometime Thursday, setting up a final vote sometime Friday and, possibly, early Saturday morning.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker........

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