(Photo: AP)
Washington (People's Daily) - The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted favorably for Mike Pompeo as the new secretary of state Monday afternoon. The vote came after a last- minute reversal from Republican Senator Rand Paul who announced earlier he planned to vote against the nomination.
Paul’s flip prevents Pompeo from becoming the first nominee to lose a favorable recommendation from the Senate Committee.
"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 tweeted before the vote.
Pompeo still needs to get through a Senate floor vote before the appointment becomes official.
Senate Democrats voiced opposition early on when the nomination was announced but lacked the seats necessary seats to block it.
The former CIA director was believed to have closer ties with Trump than outgoing Secretary Rex Tillerson.
Last week, it was revealed Pompeo had made a top-secret visit to North Korea as a special envoy for Trump.
Last week, it was revealed Pompeo had made a top-secret visit to North Korea as a special envoy for Trump.
On Monday morning Trump weighed in on the Senate Committee vote, criticizing Democrat opposition.
Trump tweeted, “Hard to believe Obstructionists May vote against Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State. The Dems will not approve hundreds of good people, including the Ambassador to Germany. They are maxing out the time on approval process for all, never happened before. Need more Republicans!”
