Three Republican senators tried Thursday to help Democrats with passing an amendment that would block the head of a federal department or agency from also serving as the acting director of National Intelligence.

The amendment, introduced by Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner, failed in a 49-49 split. GOP Sens. Bill Cassidy, Louisiana; Susan Collins, Maine; and Lisa Murkowski, Alaska, voted with the Democrats.

The move comes after President Donald Trump tapped Bill Pulte, who serves as the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to serve as acting director of National Intelligence after Tulsi Gabbard leaves at the end of the month.

Several Republican senators have expressed concerns over his qualifications for the post, including the three who voted in favor of the amendment.

“The best I can tell you is he’s not qualified, but I don’t know anything about him other than that,” Cassidy told The Hill.

Trump administration officials have largely stood with the president, with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz stating that he trusted the president's decision.

“I think Bill is a great guy. I know him socially,” Oz said Tuesday. “I have not worked with him in his current job, but I do trust the president’s judgment. He is a very sharp and quick study of people, their emotional abilities, and their ability to persevere in the face of hardship, so I have confidence in his decision.” 

Trump has not formally nominated Pulte for the position on a permanent basis but has selected him to serve in the interim.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.