Georgia’s senior U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, voted by proxy in committee Monday to move Mike Pompeo’s nomination to become secretary of the U.S. Department of State to the full Senate for a final vote later this week.
But it seems it was a late decision by two Republican Senators that provided the victory for Trump’s nomination. Reports indicate Pompeo’s nomination was reported favorably to the Senate floor by a vote of 10-9-1.
According to reports, the two deciding votes were cast by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) who switched gears last week — and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) who had said he would never “vote to shift the CIA Director over to the post of Secretary of State,” before his yes vote Monday.
“Employees at the CIA have given Mike Pompeo high marks for his performance, his support for the workforce and advocacy for their mission,” said Isakson, who serves as chair of the subcommittee that oversees the State Department and its personnel.
“The State Department needs that same energy, fire and purposeful direction today, at a time when our country faces numerous threats and challenges that demand strong diplomacy. Pompeo has already stepped into a leadership role in delicate negotiations on North Korea, and I expect him to remain committed to leveraging our unique assets and employing U.S. diplomatic leadership as much as possible to achieve our goals. I believe Mike Pompeo is prepared to lead.”
Isakson voted by proxy because he arrived to Washington late Monday evening after delivering the eulogy at the funeral of a close friend — prominent Atlanta developer John Williams. Last week Isakson eulogized Williams from the U.S. Senate floor, saying, John Williams was “good, decent, honorable [and] passionate for his community,”
The Senator questioned Pompeo at his hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 12, 2018, pressing him on his plans for the future of the department.
Isakson, who serves as chair of the subcommittee that oversees the State Department and its personnel, remarked on the lagging morale at the department and asked Pompeo about his ability to be a “catalyst” at the department to help with “an attitude improvement,” as he has done during his tenure as director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Pompeo accepted the challenge, returning credit to the dedication of his colleagues at the CIA, and committed to supporting the dedicated Foreign Service officers at the State Department.
Pompeo’s nomination to become secretary of state was announced on March 13, 2018.
