Senate Panel Sends Blinken Nomination for Deputy State Sec. to Senate Floor

Several Senate Foreign Relations Committee Republicans fiercely objected to the nomination of Tony Blinken, principal deputy national security advisor, to be deputy secretary of state, with two saying they will try and block it on the Senate floor.

President Barack Obama on Nov. 7 tapped Blinken to move from the West Wing to the State Department, a move that got the attention of lawmakers and experts. The post is typically held by a career diplomat.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., minutes before the committee voted called Blinken "unqualified" for the position, adding the nominee has been too "wrong" too often about global crises and threats to America. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., joined McCain in saying he will try and hold up the nomination on the floor.

Blinken's nomination could get a vote from the full Senate as soon as later on Thursday. Lawmakers are racing to wrap up several bills and a list of outstanding nominations before leaving for a holiday recess.

Democrats want to use their majority, which they will lose when Congress returns in January, to push through potentially contentious nominations. ■

Email: jbennett@defensenews.com.

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