Questions have swirled around Capitol Hill in recent weeks over whether Fox News host and decorated veteran Pete Hegseth will become President-elect Donald Trump's secretary of Defense.

However, recent statements from a number of key senators suggests that Hegseth's confirmation may be in the clear. 

Joni Ernst voices support for Hegseth despite prior skepticism

According to Breitbart, Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst put out a statement on Monday regarding Hegseth after the two met.

Ernst said that appreciated Hegseth's "responsiveness and respect for the process" and spoke positively of his agenda for the Defense Department.

Specifically, Hegseth "committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value of our servicemen and women — based on quality and standards, not quotas — and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks."

"As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources," the Iowa lawmaker went on to add.

Breitbart noted that Ernst had previously expressed skepticism over his nomination in the wake of allegations from unnamed sources about excessive alcohol consumption.

Hegseth touts "great meeting" with Ernst

For his part, Hegseth spoke positively of his conversation with Ernst, telling Fox News host Sean Hannity, "It was a great meeting."

"I've known Sen. Ernst for over 10 years. I knew her when she was a state senator running to be the first female combat veteran. And we supported her in that effort, and have continued to," he added.

Following his meeting Monday with Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville told reporters Hegseth would be "great" for the position. https://t.co/NYk4ZEEFZZ

— ABC News (@ABC) December 3, 2024

Hegseth has already received endorsements from other Republican lawmakers, including Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

Tuberville notes that Hegseth has "actually fought in wars"

"I've known him for a while," ABC News quoted Tuberville as telling reporters last week. "Pete's the type of guy that he's going to work. He's got a great work ethic. He's very, very smart. He understands the business side as well as the military side."

"He's actually fought in wars. He is a good age too. Somebody that can relate to the young men and women that we need to recruit in the military," Tuberville insisted.

"I'm gonna leave the personal stuff between y'all and him whenever he has an opportunity to sit down with you and explain, you know, the allegations that you're all pushing out," the senator went on to stress.