Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) Thursday announced they will not support Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Defense Secretary on Thursday, the only two Republican senators to publicly oppose his nomination, setting up a pathway to his confirmation on Friday.

“I believe that character is the defining trait required of the Secretary of Defense, and must be prioritized without compromise,” Murkowski said in a statement posted on X ahead of Hegseth’s first test vote on Thursday afternoon.