Todd Young, key GOP swing vote, says he’ll support Gabbard

Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced Tuesday that he will support Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to become director of national intelligence, paving the way for her to reach a floor vote and increasing her chances of winning full confirmation.

Young had been considered a crucial Intelligence Committee GOP swing vote on Gabbard’s nomination.

“I appreciate Tulsi Gabbard’s engagement with me on a variety of issues to ensure that our intelligence professionals will be supported and policymakers will receive unbiased information under her leadership,” Young posted on the social platform X alongside a letter Gabbard sent him of commitments in order to win his vote.  

“I have done what the Framers envisioned for senators to do: use the consultative process to seek firm commitments, in this case commitments that will advance our national security, which is my top priority as a former Marine Corps intelligence officer,” he continued. 

“Having now secured these commitments, I will support Tulsi’s nomination and look forward to working with her to protect our national security,” Young added.

The decision came only a couple of hours before the Senate Intelligence Committee is set to meet to consider her nomination. 

Republicans hold a one-seat edge over Democrats on the panel, meaning a single defection could doom her chances of getting across the finish line. 

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced Monday she would back Gabbard, giving the former Hawaii congresswoman a big boost while Young stayed publicly undecided.

Having the support of both Collins and Young puts Gabbard on the doorstep of winning full confirmation. 

Gabbard can lose no more than three GOP votes on the floor. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is expected to vote against her nomination, while Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) said he had more questions after Thursday’s confirmation hearings. 

The Army lieutenant colonel drew the ire of multiple Republicans on the Intelligence Committee during the hearing after she refused to label Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who leaked classified information, a traitor.

Collins told reporters Monday that Gabbard explained her reticence to do so during the panel’s closed-door hearing in a bid to calm intensifying waters surrounding her confirmation chances. 

Updated at 11:06 a.m. EST