Gabbard could not afford to lose Collins' vote, as the Senate Intelligence Committee has a 9-8 partisan split, meaning she can only afford to lose one Republican vote, assuming all Democrats vote against her. Collins' announcement on Monday clears at least one hurdle ahead of Tuesday's intel meeting to advance Gabbard to the full Senate floor.
"After extensive consideration of her nomination, I will support Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence," Collins said in a statement. "The Office of the Director of National Intelligence … has become far larger than it was designed to be, and Ms. Gabbard shares my vision of returning the agency to its intended size."