By Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing for Jan. 14 for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be secretary of defense, a source familiar with the plan said on Wednesday.
Trump has reiterated his support for Hegseth, a former Fox News personality whose nomination faces headwinds amid allegations of misconduct in his private and professional lives.
A 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran, Hegseth has vowed to continue fighting for the job, spending much of the past few weeks in the Senate meeting with Republican senators whose support he must win to secure the 51 "yes" votes he will need to be confirmed to lead the Pentagon.
To date, there has been no public announcement that any Republican will not vote for Hegseth. Several have said they will follow with interest what comes out during his hearing. The Armed Services Committee will vote on Hegseth's nomination after the hearing, sending it for consideration by the full Senate.
Hegseth served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and has two Bronze Stars. But he has been criticized for lacking the management experience needed to lead 1.3 million active-duty service members and the nearly 1 million civilians who work for the nation's military.
A California police report showed a woman filed a sexual assault complaint in 2017. Hegseth was never charged and has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer told CNN this month that they may take legal action against the woman if Hegseth is not confirmed.
Trump's fellow Republicans will take control of the Senate on Jan. 3 with a 53-47 seat majority. If Democrats remain united against Hegseth, he cannot afford to lose support from more than three Republicans.