Hegseth hits back at misconduct allegations in contentious hearing

Sen. Joni Ernst, a closely-watched GOP vote, began her questioning by talking about her "frank conversations" with Hegseth during her meetings last month.

The Iowa Republican said she had some concerns about wasteful spending but also women in the military and sexual assault allegations in the military.

"I do appreciate you sitting down and allowing me the opportunity to question you thoroughly on those issues that are of great importance to me," she said.

"I think previous secretaries of Defense, with all due respect, haven't necessarily emphasized the strategic prerogative of an audit," Ernst said.

Hegseth said an audit would be his priority.

Hegseth has claimed military readiness has been eroded due to "quotas" on racial or gender diversity.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, heatedly pushed back.

"Commanders do not have to have a quota for women in the infantry. That does not exist," she said. "It does not exist."

"Everything you've said in these public statements is politics," she continued. "I don't want women. I don't want moms. What's wrong with a mom?"

Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen grilled Hegseth on his past comments about women serving in the military, including his previous comments that women should not serve in some combat roles.

"Senator, I would like to clarify, when I'm talking about that issue, it's not about the capabilities of men and women, it's about standards," Hegseth said. "And this committee has talked a lot about standards, standards that we unfortunately, over time, have seen eroded in certain duty positions, certain schools, certain places, which affects readiness, which is what I care about the most, readiness."

During the exchange, Shaheen asked Hegseth for his message to the almost 400,000 women serving today who she said now may wonder whether they can rise to the highest ranks of the military.

"I would say I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve alongside you, shoulder to shoulder, men and women, Black, white, all backgrounds with a shared purpose," Hegseth said. "Our differences are not what define us. Our unity and our shared purpose is what define us. And you will be treated fairly and with dignity, honor and respect, just like every man and woman in uniform."

After a tense back and forth, Shaheen said to Hegseth: "I appreciate your eleventh-hour conversion."

Sen. Deb Fischer, a Nebraska Republican, questioned Hegseth about investing in the United States nuclear arsenal and whether he agreed with Trump's posture during his first administration -- that preventing attacks from adversaries was the "highest priority."

"Yes, I do, because ultimately, our deterrence, our survival is reliant upon the capability, the perception and the reality of the capability of our nuclear triad," Hegseth responded. "We have to invest in its modernization for the defense of our nation."