Pompeo lacks votes for positive vote on panel

[Ukrainian Yankee]

Source: The Hill

04/20/18 06:05 PM EDT

CIA Director Mike Pompeo is officially short of the votes needed to clear the Senate Foreign Relations Committee next week.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said Friday that “after carful consideration” he will oppose Pompeo’s nomination to lead the State Department.

“I remain concerned that Director Pompeo will not challenge the President in critical moments,” he said in a statement.

“On vital decisions facing our country, Director Pompeo seems less concerned with rule of law and partnership with our allies and more inclined to emphasize unilateral action and the use of force,” he added.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/384213-pompeo-lacks-votes-for-positive-vote-on-panel

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Will Pompeo be meeting his Vesuvius when the full Senate votes?

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. good

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. "Vesuvius" LOL!

[PJMcK]

4. I lava that! (n/t)

[RandySF]

3. I also read that he lied about his military record

[underpants]

6. Yep.

Splinter News asked the CIA about Pompeo’s record, and the agency confirmed that while he was in the Army from 1986 to 1991, he never saw action in the Middle East.

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/04/it-turns-out-mike-pompeo-never-served-in-the-gulf-war.html

Splinter has a rundown of some prominent instances in which Pompeo’s war record has been cited incorrectly These include articles in The New Yorker and The Wall Street Journal, a letter signed by 51 Republicans expressing support for Pompeo’s secretary of State nomination, and a Marco Rubio speech on the Senate floor. Throughout all this, Pompeo has said nothing to correct the record. It’s possible, though seems unlikely, that he has simply missed all the references to his nonexistent war history. He has been busy, after all.

[notdarkyet]

5. So, will trump cronies bully for votes?

[DeminPennswoods]

7. Heard a report that McConnell might bring the nomination

to the floor regardless of how the committee votes. Figure with arm-twisting and Heitkamp saying she'll vote yes, he will be confirmed.

[regnaD kciN]

8. As usual for Republicans, rules mean nothing...

[notdarkyet]

10. I could say some things, but I will refrain.

[Honeycombe8]

9. Good. But we'll see if they manage to twist some arms. nt