Sen. Bob Menendez
Robert (Bob) MenendezTrump appointee sparks bipartisan furor for politicizing media agency Senate Democrats hold talkathon to protest Barrett's Supreme Court nomination Watchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump MORE (D-N.J.), the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said on Wednesday that he will oppose CIA Director Mike Pompeo
Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoOvernight Defense: Dems want hearing on DOD role on coronavirus vaccine | US and India sign data-sharing pact | American citizen kidnapped in Niger McEnany appears on Fox in 'personal capacity' as Trump campaign adviser US signs satellite data-sharing pact with India, warns of Chinese threats MORE's nomination to lead the State Department.
Robert (Bob) MenendezTrump appointee sparks bipartisan furor for politicizing media agency Senate Democrats hold talkathon to protest Barrett's Supreme Court nomination Watchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump MORE (D-N.J.), the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said on Wednesday that he will oppose CIA Director Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoOvernight Defense: Dems want hearing on DOD role on coronavirus vaccine | US and India sign data-sharing pact | American citizen kidnapped in Niger McEnany appears on Fox in 'personal capacity' as Trump campaign adviser US signs satellite data-sharing pact with India, warns of Chinese threats MORE's nomination to lead the State Department. "I will be casting a 'no' vote for Director Pompeo to be our secretary of State," Menendez said at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event.
He added that "I believe our nation’s top diplomat must be forthright, and, more critically, his past sentiments do not reflect our nation’s values, and are not acceptable for our nation’s top diplomat. The American people deserve better."
Following Menendez's statement, Sen. Ben Cardin
Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinBipartisan group of senators call on Trump to sanction Russia over Navalny poisoning Pelosi hopeful COVID-19 relief talks resume 'soon' Congress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out MORE (Md.), another Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, came out in opposition to Pompeo.
Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinBipartisan group of senators call on Trump to sanction Russia over Navalny poisoning Pelosi hopeful COVID-19 relief talks resume 'soon' Congress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out MORE (Md.), another Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, came out in opposition to Pompeo.“After personally meeting with him and reviewing his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I do not believe Mr. Pompeo will be an independent voice in advising the president, nor an advocate for leading our allies and friends around the world in support of the international norms and values that protect America and enhance our prosperity and security," Cardin said in a statement.
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The two Democrats' opposition comes as Pompeo appears short of the support needed to win a majority of the Foreign Relations Committee in a vote expected to take place next week.
Only one Democrat on the committee, Sen. Christopher Coons
Christopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsBitter fight over Barrett fuels calls to nix filibuster, expand court Ocasio-Cortez: Republicans don't believe Democrats 'have the stones to play hardball' Democrats warn GOP will regret Barrett confirmation MORE (Del.), has yet to say how he'll vote. He, like Cardin, opposed Pompeo to be CIA director.
Christopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsBitter fight over Barrett fuels calls to nix filibuster, expand court Ocasio-Cortez: Republicans don't believe Democrats 'have the stones to play hardball' Democrats warn GOP will regret Barrett confirmation MORE (Del.), has yet to say how he'll vote. He, like Cardin, opposed Pompeo to be CIA director.Mendendez added on Wednesday that Pompeo's record is "deeply troubling" and Pompeo offered "a series of goals but no strategy" during his nomination hearing before the Foreign Relations Committee.
"After committing to transparency in his opening statement, he was not forthcoming when I questioned him about his involvement in the Russia investigation and I can tell you even [in] his private conversations with me he didn't tell me about his visit to North Korea," he said.
The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that Pompeo flew to North Korea earlier this year and met with the nation’s leader, Kim Jong Un.
Senate Republicans have, so far, largely brushed aside the revelation, and signaled they plan to move Pompeo's nomination to the floor even if he falls short in committee.
--Updated at 11:03 a.m.
