Pompeo gets key Congressional panel's nod for Secretary of State
What's the story
President Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday narrowly won a key Congressional panel nod after a leading Republican senator supported him at the last minute, paving the way for the CIA Director to become America's top diplomat. The nomination of 54-year-old Pompeo now heads to the Senate for a vote on his confirmation. Here's more.
Nomination
White House welcomed the passage of the nomination
Pompeo, if confirmed by the Senate, would replace Rex Tillerson as the Secretary of State. Tillerson was fired by Trump last month. During a tense Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting, Pompeo was voted 11-9. In addition to all the Republican Senators, Senator Chris Coons was the only Democratic Senator to have voted in Pompeo's support. The White House welcomed the passage of the nomination.
Quote
What did Sarah Sanders say on the nomination?
"With Secretary of State-designate Mike Pompeo's favorable report from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the American people are one step closer to having their top diplomat in place at a critical time in our history," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.
Trump's vision
Pompeo is an integral part of the President's vision: Sanders
"Under Trump's leadership, the US is on a path toward a safer, more prosperous future. Pompeo is an integral part of the President's vision going forward. We look forward to the full Senate confirming him in the coming days," Sanders said. Coons displayed a "statesmanship that I'm not accustomed to seeing in the Senate," said Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Support
Republican Senator Rand Paul also supported Pompeo's nomination
Earlier in the day, Republican Senator Rand Paul, who had earlier announced to oppose Pompeo, said that he has now changed his mind and would support the nomination. "Having received assurances from President Trump and Director Pompeo that he agrees with the President on these important issues, I have decided to support his nomination to be our next Secretary of State," Paul said.
Confidence
Florida Senator Marco Rubio too supported Pompeo
Florida Senator Marco Rubio welcomed the development. "CIA Director Mike Pompeo has the full confidence of the President, an outstanding record of service to our country, and is more than qualified to serve as Secretary of State. As Pompeo's nomination now moves to the Senate Floor, I strongly urge my colleagues to put country over party and confirm him without further delay," he said.