Pompeo Likely Won't Be Confirmed As Secretary of State

Pompeo Likely Won't Be Confirmed As Secretary of State

Two Democrats who supported Mike Pompeo to become CIA director last year have now publicly refused to back his nomination to be secretary of state.

Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and our favorite doofus from the 2016 election, Tim Kaine (D-VA) have both expressed their concerns about Pompeo suitability for the role of Secretary of State. This of course, means that Pompeo will not have the panel's endorsement when the full Senate votes on his nomination.

Senator Shaheen said in a statement on Tuesday she was unable to support Pompeo due to previous statements he has made on LGBT rights, American Muslims and women's reproductive rights.

'His previous roles are fundamentally different from that of Secretary of State, who represents American values around the world. 'The Secretary of State is a policymaking position and I continue to have deep concerns regarding Mr. Pompeo's past statements and policy views.'

Kaine also voted to confirm Pompeo to the CIA post last year but said he will oppose him for the State Department.

'I believe that Mike Pompeo would exacerbate President Trump's weaknesses rather than uphold our diplomatic legacy,' Kaine said in a statement.

The committee is made up of 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Republican Senator Rand Paul has already announced his opposition, while no Democrats have publicly declared their support.

The U.S. Is Without a Secretary Of State

The United States has been without a full-fledged secretary of state since March 22, when President Trump fired Rex Tillerson's. Trump and Tillerson never saw eye to eye on some major issues.

Tillerson wanted the United States to stay in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Paris climate accord. Tillerson also advocated for continued U.S. adherence to the Iran nuclear deal.

Recently President Trump announced he would revisit TPP to see if there was a way for the United States to go along with that trade agreement, but ultimately President Trump's "America First" policies would not allow him to do so.

While Japan and South Korea would like us to go back into TPP, I don’t like the deal for the United States. Too many contingencies and no way to get out if it doesn’t work. Bilateral deals are far more efficient, profitable and better for OUR workers. Look how bad WTO is to U.S.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018

One of the reasons President Trump nominated Pompeo was his belief that unlike Tillerson, The President and Pompeo are more aligned with Trump's MAGA vision for America.

Senator Bob Corker, who chairs the powerful foreign relations panel, has signaled a likely committee vote on Pompeo early next week, and he said the Trump administration was hoping for confirmation before a one-week Senate recess begins April 28.

'It's possible' that the Senate will force a vote on Pompeo even if he fails to clear the committee with a majority, Corker told reporters.

Such a move would be quite rare, especially since the Senate historian's office has said no secretary of state nominee has received an unfavorable committee vote since 1925.

Pompeo will have a tough time reaching the needed 51 votes. Republicans hold 51 seats, but with Republican Senator Rand Paul has already announced his opposition, while no Democrats have publicly declared their support.

A split vote will get Pompeo confirmed since Vice-President Pence would cast the deciding vote to break the tie, but that scenario is also unlikely since Senator John McCain hasn't been in Washington for months as he continues his battle with brain cancer.

President Trump and Pompeo will need to wheel and deal to garner at least some Democratic support if Pompeo is to be the United States next Secretary of State.

Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota are the two most likely candidates Trump will target in hopes of gaining their support. Both up for reelection in states that went for President Trump in 2016.

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