Kash Patel’s nomination to lead the FBI took a significant step forward on Tuesday as the Republican-controlled Senate voted to begin formal debate on his confirmation. The vote, which passed along party lines at 48–45, paves the way for Patel to be confirmed later this week. GOP senators expressed confidence that President Donald Trump’s pick has the necessary support and will officially take the helm of the agency following a final vote on Thursday.

The decision to proceed with Patel’s nomination triggers 30 hours of Senate debate before his expected confirmation. Republican lawmakers have hailed the 44-year-old nominee from Long Island, highlighting his extensive experience as a prosecutor and national security aide during Trump’s first term. They argue that Patel is committed to refocusing the FBI on its core law enforcement duties and reversing what they describe as the agency’s politicization in recent years.

During his confirmation hearing, Patel outlined ambitious goals for his tenure, vowing to dramatically reduce major crime rates, including cutting “100,000 rapes, 100,000 drug overdoses from Chinese fentanyl and Mexican heroin, and 17,000 homicides” by half. If confirmed, Patel will serve a 10-year term as one of the country’s most powerful law enforcement officials. He has emphasized his support for rank-and-file FBI agents, referring to them as “courageous, apolitical warriors of justice.”