Sen. Joe Donnelly on Monday became the third Democrat to announce support for Mike Pompeo to become the next secretary of state, assuring Pompeo’s confirmation as early as this week.
Donnelly, of Indiana, said in a statement that Pompeo “is capable of advancing U.S. interests and leading the State Department.”
Sens. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced they will also vote for Pompeo.
All three represent “red” states that voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and all are fighting for re-election in 2018. Many analysts have rated the races in all three states as “toss up,” so the senators’ decision to support Pompeo could help sway voters’ decisions. Trump won Indiana with nearly 57 percent of the vote.
Pompeo, who is currently the CIA director, will nonetheless have difficulty winning the approval of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee thanks to opposition from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
The panel will vote on Pompeo’s nomination late Monday afternoon, and with 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats, Paul’s “no” vote will mean Pompeo fails unless a committee Democrat agrees to vote “yes,” and so far, no Democrat has stepped forward.
Sen. John Cornyn, the majority whip, told the Washington Examiner Pompeo’s nomination will move to the floor likely this week no matter what the committee outcome.
Senate rules do not require committee approval in order for a nominee to be placed on the floor for a vote. In this case, the committee is expected to report the nomination with a negative recommendation.
Republicans control just 50 votes in the Senate, since Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is unable to work due to his ongoing cancer treatments. Paul’s “no” vote on the floor would give doom Pompeo’s nomination, but the addition of three Democrats ensures Pompeo will clear Congress with the required simple majority.
