The Senate Armed Services Committee follows a tradition of the Chair and Vice-Chair reviewing the FBI report on Defense Secretary nominations, and then bringing the nomination to a full committee hearing and vote.
However, in an unprecedented move being discussed the Chairman Jack Reed, of Rhode Island, and the ranking member from Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, are debating releasing the FBI report on Pete Hegseth to the full committee, thereby positioning the FBI report to be leaked to media.
Keep in mind, this is an "FBI investigative report," and we already know the history of how the FBI uses their investigative authorities to influence, change and manipulate political outcomes. If we drop the pretending, the FBI is a weaponized agency of DC government with the expressed intent to protect the interests of DC.
The only reason to widely distribute the FBI background investigation of Hegseth is so that someone can leak it to media.
WASHINGTON DC - At least a dozen senators are pushing to see the FBI's background check on Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's embattled pick for Pentagon chief -- a rare move for the committee that oversees his confirmation and a sign the former Fox News host still faces hurdles in the Senate.
Unlike some other committees, the Senate Armed Services usually limits access to these types of background checks to its two lead senators. But pressure is building from both Democrats and Republicans to provide more lawmakers with the ongoing report, whose contents could determine whether Hegseth makes it to the Pentagon.
"It would be helpful, given the allegations that have been lodged against Mr. Hegseth, to be able to see the FBI background check," Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a potential swing vote on Hegseth, said in an interview.
The push follows allegations of sexual assault against Hegseth, as well as alcohol abuse and mismanagement during his tenure at two veterans groups. He denies the allegations, and Trump's allies have continued to drum up support for the TV personality. No Republicans have come out against him.