A defining duo of the first Donald Trump administration is back.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republicans on Thursday advanced the nomination of veteran and onetime Fox News host Pete Hegseth to lead the nation’s military, despite numerous allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct, and his history of disparaging women in the armed forces.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced Thursday that she would vote against confirming Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon, becoming the first Republican to oppose one of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks. Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins also voted against Hegseth.

Donald Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, is facing stiff criticism from Democrats—but most Republicans back him.

Pete Hegseth has lost the support of two GOP senators ahead of a final confirmation vote.

Both Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted "no" in a procedural vote on Hegseth's confirmation Thursday.

Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's nominee for Defense secretary, received a positive vote from the Senate on Jan. 23 that would clear his path to confirmation despite receiving "no" votes from Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine).

A Princeton and Harvard-educated former combat veteran, Hegseth went on to make a career at Fox News, where he hosted a weekend show. Trump tapped him as the defense secretary to lead an organization with nearly 2.1 million service members, about 780,000 civilians and a budget of $850 billion.

Moderte Sen. Susan Collins said she will not be backing Pete Hegseth for the role of secretary of defense under the Trump administration.

Pete Hegseth is on track to be secretary of defense, despite Murkowski's opposition. He has denied multiple allegations of alcohol abuse, financial mismanagement and violence against women.

Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Thursday to advance his nomination.