At her confirmation hearing last week, Gabbard had faced pointed questions from some Republicans about her stances on Edward Snowden and the controversial surveillance program he helped to expose.

Tulsi Gabbard cleared a major hurdle Tuesday in her confirmation process to become the nation’s top intelligence official in the Trump administration. The Senate Intelligence Committee voted 9-8 behind closed doors to putting Gabbard,

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence, has moved a step closer to Senate confirmation.