The U.S. Senate has confirmed Pete Hegseth as the new head of the Pentagon.

The votes in the Senate were divided along party lines — 51 to 50. Vice President JD Vance broke the tie by casting the deciding vote for Hegseth. This marks only the second time in U.S. history that a vice president, who also serves as the president of the Senate, has cast a decisive vote in the event of a tie.

During the confirmation hearings for his nomination earlier this month, Hegseth told lawmakers that he would restore accountability in the country's military.

Hegseth received support from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, who stated that the candidate would "bring a new warrior spirit" to the Pentagon, according to Voice of America.

However, Hegseth faced criticism from Senate Democrats regarding his comments on the service of women and transgender individuals in the military, as well as allegations of sexualized violence, alcohol abuse, and financial misconduct while leading two nonprofit organizations serving veterans.

The 44-year-old Pete Hegseth commanded an infantry platoon in Iraq and served in Afghanistan. After his military career, he worked as a correspondent and host for Fox News. On November 13 of last year, U.S. President Donald Trump nominated him to lead the Pentagon.

Previously, Hegseth stated that his priorities, if confirmed, would focus on the threat from China, U.S. defense issues, and the situation in the Middle East. Hegseth also promised to restore the morale of the military and end diversity programs that he believes are detrimental to creating a merit-based military.

Hegseth will be the first Secretary of Defense to have served as a junior officer on the front lines and the first Secretary representing a generation of military personnel who participated in conflicts following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The Pentagon oversees more than three million service members and manages a budget of $857 billion.

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