The United States Senate advanced further Pete Hegseth's nomination for defense secretary on Thursday by a narrow margin, with the final vote now expected to take place by the end of this week.

While 51 senators voted in favor of the motion, 49 were against it, with all the Democrats being in the latter group. Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, also voted "no."

With allegations against Hegseth in focus, his confirmation to become the next secretary of defense still remains uncertain.