WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jon Tester announced Monday night he will opposed CIA Director Mike Pompeo as secretary of state.
“America needs a Secretary of State who will put diplomacy first as global threats increase and our nation is entangled in conflicts across the world. Our nation’s top diplomat must be an honest broker, a tough negotiator, and a firm believer that war is a last resort. Mr. Pompeo has not convinced me that he is the right person for the job," the Montana Democrat said in a statement.
Pompeo was narrowly recommended by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by an 11-9 vote Monday.
Despite Tester’s no vote, Pompeo has been gaining steam over the past 24 hours. Two other red-state Democrats, Sens. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, announced they would support his nomination.
Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who was also on the fence, said Monday he would support Pompeo, virtually assuring confirmation.
