Tulsi Gabbard's nomination to be President Donald Trump's director of national intelligence cleared a key Senate committee Tuesday despite concerns raised about her past comments sympathetic to Russia and a meeting with Syria’s now-deposed leader.

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.

President Donald Trump's contentious nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence cleared a major hurdle on Tuesday when a Senate committee backed her for confirmation despite doubts about her lack of experience and past statements seen as supporting U.