The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted 12-10 to advance Kash Patel’s nomination for FBI director. The nomination, made by President Donald Trump, will now be considered by the full Senate. Democrats delayed the vote last week, forcing Patel to testify again.

Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn argued that Democrats fear Patel’s leadership because of his knowledge about the “Russia collusion” investigation during Trump’s first term. She suggested that Patel could expose what certain Democrats, like Rep. Adam Schiff, did during the investigation.

Patel, a former federal prosecutor and senior counterterrorism official, was involved in the 2018 Nunes memo, which accused the FBI of misconduct related to a surveillance warrant on a Trump campaign aide. His nomination has sparked controversy, particularly with Democrats, but also gained support from Republicans who emphasize transparency in government.