CIA Director Mike Pompeo is on track to be the United States’ next secretary of state.
Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia just tweeted out the following:
After meeting with Mike Pompeo, discussing his foreign policy perspectives, & considering his distinguished time as CIA Director & his exemplary career in public service, I will vote to confirm Mike Pompeo to be our next Secretary of State.
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) April 23, 2018
Sen. Manchin is a Democrat from a state President Trump won by overwhelming margins. He’s up for reelection this year, and is trying to balance his Democrat support with voters who backed Trump in the presidential race.
Manchin is the second Democrat to announce their support for Pompeo. Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota already made it clear she plans on voting for Trump’s nominee.
Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp announced her support for Trump’s secretary of state nominee Mike Pompeo, giving him a much-needed vote for his confirmation https://t.co/UhQtjLENL6 pic.twitter.com/UGOI1pd6OL
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) April 19, 2018
Jeremy Herb of CNN points out that Pompeo now has the votes to be confirmed by the Senate:
Manchin backs Pompeo, all but guaranteeing he’s got the votes on the floor, even if the committee vote will go against him https://t.co/Q9kiqCeE8o
— Jeremy Herb (@jeremyherb) April 23, 2018
Chad Pergram of Fox News also confirms that Pompeo has it all but locked up:
Dem WV Sen Manchin becomes 2nd Dem to announce they will vote to confirm Pompeo as SecState. Joins Heitkamp. If Paul remains a nay & all other GOPers vote yea, Pompeo should should have at least 51 yeas
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) April 23, 2018
There’s only one issue. It doesn’t look like Pompeo will win the support of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is set to vote tonight on the nomination. A failed vote from the Committee won’t stop Pompeo from getting a full vote on the Senate floor, but it doesn’t look great either.
According to the Los Angeles Times:
Barring a last-minute change of votes, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected Monday to reject secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo in an embarrassing rebuke of President Trump’s foreign policy.
Despite the snub, the full Senate is expected to approve CIA Director Pompeo’s nomination this week thanks to several Democrats fighting reelection battles in states Trump won handily. But a negative vote by the committee Monday could undermine Pompeo at the State Department.
Not winning confirmation from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee would be a big setback, but it won’t be fatal for Pompeo.
Currently, no other Republican has announced opposition to Pompeo other than Sen. Paul. Some have voiced concern, such as Senator Jeff Flake, but all are assumed to be voting for him at this time. With Manchin and Heitkamp’s support, Pompeo currently has the votes to be confirmed.
What do you think of this breaking news? Do you support Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State? Tell us your thoughts below!
