Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation as director of national intelligence, one of President Donald Trump's most contentious nominations, moved closer to reality on Tuesday when a Senate committee backed her despite doubts about her lack of experience and past statements seen as supporting U.

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

Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to oversee the nation’s intelligence agencies passed a key hurdle on Tuesday when the Senate Intelligence Committee approved her in a close, party-line vote. Sen. Mark Kelly,