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CIA Director Mike Pompeo received recommendation for Secretary of State from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The close vote saved Pompeo from becoming the nation’s first nominee for Secretary of State to be rejected by the committee. The committee was split along party lines until two Democrat members changed their votes from “no” to “present.”
Rand Paul was the only Republican who opposed Pompeo, holding out over concerns about Mike Pompeo’s foreign policy. Paul was unsure whether or not Pompeo shared President Trump’s belief that Iraq was a mistake and the United States needs to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible. Rand Paul became the deciding vote after speaking with both President Trump and Mike Pompeo about foreign policy. According to Paul, he became convinced that Pompeo shares President Trump’s belief that involvement in Iraq has destabilized the region.
Pompeo will receive a vote before the full Senate within the week, according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
