J.D. Vance didn’t need to cast the tie-breaking vote — but it came close. Both Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voted against confirming Kash Patel as the new director of the FBI, but Mitch McConnell voted in favor, allowing Patel to take office by the narrowest Senate vote thus far for a Donald Trump nominee:
Every Senate Democrat voted against Patel. They were joined by two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who said they believed Patel was too overtly political to lead the nation’s top law enforcement agency.
“Mr. Patel’s recent political profile undermines his ability to serve in the apolitical role of Director of the FBI,” Collins said ahead of the 51-49 vote.
Patel’s confirmation marks a tectonic shift at the bureau, as he plans to adjust its focus…
