Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., excoriated President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense on Thursday, calling Pete Hegseth "so utterly unqualified."

Earlier in the day the Senate voted 51-49 to advance Hegseth to a final confirmation vote, which could come as early as Friday evening. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted against Hegseth.

"Pete Hegseth is so utterly unqualified; he ranks up there with vote as one of the very worst nominees that could be put forward," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "People's lives depend on it. Civilians and, of course, the men and women in the armed services. And Pete Hegseth has shown himself not only incapable of running a large organization, he often shows himself incapable of showing up or showing up in a way where he could get anything done."

Hegseth was among the first of Trump's Cabinet picks to be announced in November, sparking pushback from Democrats and some Republicans due to his non-traditional background, allegations of alcohol abuse, and past comments regarding women in combat.

Hegseth has also long advocated for dialing back the Pentagon's "woke" policies and has advocated for an overhaul of many of the modern military's progressive policies and firing the senior staff who implemented them.

"He is so out of the mainstream and so unqualified for DOD that I am hopeful we will get our Republican colleagues to join us. There'll be a vote this afternoon," Schumer said.

• Sen. Marshall to Newsmax: Hegseth Claim 'Very Timed' by Dems
• Armed Services Chair Wicker: Republicans Backing Hegseth