Tulsi Gabbard's nomination to be President Donald Trump director of national intelligence cleared a key Senate committee despite concerns raised about her past comments sympathetic to Russia and a meeting with Syria's now-deposed leader. A former Democratic congresswoman, Gabbard is one of Trump's most divisive nominees, with lawmakers of both parties also pointing to her past support for government leaker Edward Snowden. But the Senate Intelligence Committee advanced her nomination in a closed-door 9-8 vote, and it now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Given strong Democratic opposition and thin Republican margins, Gabbard will need almost all GOP senators to vote yes to win confirmation to the top intelligence job.