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A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 24 april 2018

Pompeo nomination narrowly clears panel, goes to full Senate

By LISA MASCARO qualified as past secretar-
AP Congressional Corre- ies of state nominees Hillary
spondent Clinton or John Kerry, both
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mike of whom received over-
Pompeo, President Donald whelming support.
Trump’s choice for secre- “A majority of Democrats
tary of state, avoided a continue their pointless ob-
rare rebuke Monday as the struction to score cheap
Senate Foreign Relations political points with their
Committee narrowly rec- base as a willful attempt to
ommended him, but the undermine American diplo-
vote served as a warning macy,” said White House
shot to the White House as spokeswoman Sarah Huck-
nominees to lead the CIA abee Sanders.
and Veterans Affairs are But Democrats resisted
hitting stiff resistance. easy confirmation of the
Pompeo, who’s now CIA nation’s top diplomat, and
director, received the support peeled.
panel’s approval only after Sen. Maggie Hassan,
Trump’s last-minute over- D-N.H., who had been
tures to Sen. Rand Paul, among more than a dozen
R-Ky. Pompeo’s nomination Democrats who supported
now goes to the full Senate, In this April 12, 2018, photo, Secretary of State-designate Mike Pompeo speaks during the Senate Pompeo for CIA director,
where votes are tallying in Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his confirmation on Capitol Hill in Washington. announced her no vote
his favor and Senate Major- Associated Press Monday.
ity Leader Mitch McCon- approve hundreds of good one group called on her to repeatedly, including a “I am concerned that Mr.
nell said he looks forward to people... They are maxing switch. chat just moments before Pompeo has not demon-
voting to confirm him later out the time on approval Ahead of the Foreign Re- the vote. strated an understanding
this week. process for all, never hap- lations Committee’s vote, “I have changed my mind,” that the Secretary of State
Trump has been quick to pened before. Need more chairman Bob Corker, R- Paul said, explaining he re- has an obligation to the
fire his top cabinet secre- Republicans!” Tenn., said of the full Sen- ceived reassurances that American people to stand
taries, but Senate Demo- Republicans hold just a slim ate, “It does appear Mike Pompeo agrees with the up for our core values,”
crats are not so fast to con- Senate majority, 50-49, with Pompeo has the votes to president that the Iraq war she said. Sen. Chris Coons,
firm replacements. A grilling the prolonged absence of be secretary of state.” was a “mistake” and that D-Del., who was among
is expected Wednesday of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Supporters point to Pom- it is time for U.S. troops to the last Democrats on the
Ronny Jackson, the White Pompeo’s bid to become peo’s resume as a West leave Afghanistan. Paul’s foreign relations panel to
House physician nominat- the nation’s top diplomat Point and Harvard Law office said he “got a win” announce his no vote, said
ed to head the VA, and was in the hands of a few School graduate who has — the promise that Pom- he is concerned that Pom-
Pompeo’s potential re- senators, but received a the president’s confidence, peo sides with Trump on peo “will embolden, rather
placement at the CIA, boost Monday when two particularly on North Korea. those issues — out of the than moderate or restrain”
Gina Haspel, is also facing Democrats, Sen. Joe Man- Opponents are focusing on situation, but declined to Trump’s “most belligerent
scrutiny. chin of West Virginia and his hawkish foreign policy provide details. and dangerous instincts.”
It’s also a reminder of how Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indi- views and negative com- “I want Trump to be Trump,” In a late setback Monday,
tough it could be to replace ana, announced their sup- ments about gay marriage Paul said. the panel was short one
Deputy Attorney General port. and Muslims. Asked about Paul’s change Republican vote needed
Rod Rosenstein. Trump has Pressure is mounting on sen- Paul’s earlier objections to of heart, Trump said, “He’s for a favorable recommen-
publicly mused about firing ators from all sides. White Pompeo, along with over- a good man.” dation because Sen. John-
Rosenstein, who is oversee- House allies are unload- whelming opposition from Senators are anxious to ny Isakson was delivering a
ing special counsel Robert ing ad campaigns against Democrats, had set the have Pompeo in place eulogy in his home state of
Mueller’s investigation into Democrats from Trump- secretary of state nominee before international meet- Georgia. Rather than post-
Russian interference in the won states, but progressive on track to be the first since ings scheduled for later this pone voting until his return
2016 election. groups are pounding sena- 1925, when the committee week and ahead of North very late Monday, Coons
“Hard to believe,” Trump tors’ offices in opposition. started keeping records, Korea talks. agreed to allowed his vote
tweeted Monday about As soon as Sen. Heidi Heit- not to receive a favorable Republicans blamed parti- to be recorded as “pres-
what he called “obstruc- kamp, D-N.D., announced recommendation. san politics for opposition, ent” so the committee
tion.” ‘’The Dems will not her support for Pompeo, But Trump and Paul talked saying Pompeo is just as could finish its work.q