“Pompeo demonstrated during this nomination process and during our meeting in March that he is committed to empowering the diplomats at the State Department so they can do their jobs in advancing American interests,” Heitkamp said in a statement.
While he’s not yet received a committee vote, Pompeo is expected to need at least one Democrat to vote with Republicans. While Heitkamp’s support represents a good sign for Pompeo, it’s still unclear whether Republicans will need more Democrats to get his nomination across the finish line, as Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona is still undecided.
Heitkamp is one of a handful of Democrats that Republicans have been targeting as possible “yes” votes for Pompeo, given her status as a red-state Democrats up for re-election this year.
While Pompeo’s nomination is not expected to get a favorable recommendation from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Monday due to the opposition of Paul and the panel’s Democrats, GOP leaders are planning to bring the nomination to the Senate floor anyway late next week.
Source : CNN
