WASHINGTON (AP) — Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to be President Donald Trump director of national intelligence cleared a key Senate committee Tuesday despite concerns raised about her past comments sympathetic to Russia and a meeting with Syria’s now-deposed leader.

After Gabbard faced a public questioning, the Senate Intelligence Committee voted to send her to a full Senate vote for confirmation.

A source with knowledge of the proceedings told ABC News that newly confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe, former NSA adviser Robert O'Brien and former Sen. Richard Burr, a former Senate Intelligence Committee chairman, have been making calls to senators on Gabbard's behalf. Gabbard has also talked to senators since her hearing, a source said.