At her confirmation hearing last week, Gabbard had faced pointed questions from some Republicans about her stances on Edward Snowden and the controversial surveillance program he helped to expose.

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, 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.