Moderate Sen. Susan Collins backed Tulsi Gabbard’s bid to become director of national intelligence ahead of a key committee vote Tuesday, in a significant boost for the former Hawaii

Collins, a pivotal swing vote on the Senate Intelligence Committee, is expected to play a key role in advancing Gabbard’s nomination as the committee meets on Tuesday.

Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to oversee the nation’s intelligence agencies passed a key hurdle on Tuesday when the Senate Intelligence Committee approved her in a close, party-line vote. Sen. Mark Kelly,