Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s controversial pick to lead U.S. intelligence agencies, escaped from a close committee ballot and heads to a full Senate vote.

Gabbard had faced pointed questions from some Republican senators about her stances on Edward Snowden and surveillance authorities.

President Donald Trump's contentious nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence cleared a major hurdle on Tuesday when a Senate committee backed her for confirmation despite doubts about her lack of experience and past statements seen as supporting U.