WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the nomination of Mike Pompeo as secretary of state (all times local):
3:45 p.m.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says he will oppose Mike Pompeo for secretary of state even as President Donald Trump’s nominee appears on track for confirmation this week.
Schumer is among Senate Democrats who backed Pompeo as CIA director. But on Tuesday he said Pompeo has not satisfactorily answered questions of a top diplomat.
Schumer says he asked Pompeo privately if he would walk back comments critical of Muslims. And he wanted to know if Pompeo would speak out against firing special counsel Robert Mueller or Deputy Attorney Rod Rosenstein in the Russia investigation.
Pompeo “demurred,” the New York senator said.
“I am voting no for those reasons,” Schumer said.
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1 a.m.
A close committee vote on the nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo as secretary of state is sending a warning to the White House as other Trump administration nominees are expected to meet with stiff resistance.
The Senate Foreign Affairs Committee advanced Pompeo’s nomination to the full Senate by just one vote. Until a last-minute change of heart by Kentucky Republican Rand Paul, the nomination appeared headed to an unfavorable recommendation.
Pompeo is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate later this week, given unanimous support from Republicans and backing from a few Democrats.
Sharp scrutiny is expected for Pompeo’s potential replacement at the CIA, Gina Haspel.
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