Confirmation vote for CIA chief brings out Democratic rift

The political schism in the Democratic Party is playing out in the confirmation vote for Gina Haspel as CIA director, as support from red-state senators facing re-election bumps up against a more liberal flank eyeing potential 2020 presidential bids and rejecting the nominee over the agency's clouded history of torture. Haspel's confirmation became all but certain with a favorable 10-5 vote Wednesday by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Confirmation vote for CIA nominee exposes Democratic rift Source: AP

The political schism in the Democratic Party is playing out in the confirmation vote for Gina Haspel as CIA director, as support from red-state senators facing re-election bumps up against a more liberal flank eyeing potential 2020 presidential bids and rejecting the nominee over the agency's clouded history of torture. Haspel's confirmation became all but certain with a favorable 10-5 vote Wednesday by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

McCain Still Up for a Fight, Even in Illness

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona listens as he is introduced at a campaign rally in Fayetteville, N.C., Oct. 28, 2008. As in so much of the senator's extraordinary life, the rebellious Republican is facing this challenging chapter -- battling brain cancer -- in his own rule-breaking way, stirring up old fights and starting new ones.

Haspel faces Senate grilling over CIA’s interrogation program

The fate of Gina Haspel's nomination to be the first female director of the CIA may come down to her performance in a situation she's never before encountered: a Senate confirmation hearing. When Haspel goes before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, Republicans are bracing for what they expect will be a contentious, politically fraught hearing where Democrats will grill the nominee on her time in the CIA -- in particular the period after September 11, 2001, when she supervised one of the CIA's black sites, and her role in the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes.

Trump proposing billions in spending cuts to Congress

The Trump administration is unveiling a multibillion-dollar roster of proposed spending cuts but is leaving this year's $1.3 trillion catchall spending bill alone. The White House said it is sending the so-called rescissions package to lawmakers Tuesday.

Ex-coal baron takes swipe at “China people” in political ad

An ex-coal executive who's running for U.S. Senate after serving a one-year prison sentence has unleashed a political ad that takes swipes at "China people" and calls the Senate majority leader "Cocaine Mitch." Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, a Republican, is seeking the West Virginia seat now held by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, but his ad disparages Kentucky GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell.

The Latest: Australia says Pompeo prioritizes naming envoy

Australia's foreign minister says new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told her appointing an ambassador to Australia is "one of his highest priorities." Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told reporters Pompeo phoned her during a flight to a NATO meeting within hours of being confirmed in his new role.

Mike Pompeo narrowly confirmed to be secretary of state

The Senate narrowly confirmed Mike Pompeo to be secretary of state on Thursday, clearing the path for him to take over as the top U.S. diplomat just as President Donald Trump faces high-risk moments on Iran and North Korea. Pompeo, the outgoing CIA director, secured support from 57 senators, with 42 voting no - one of the slimmest margins for the job in recent history.

Senate confirms Mike Pompeo as Trump’s second secretary of state in bipartisan vote

Six Democrats and one independent voted to confirm former CIA director Mike Pompeo as the 70th US secretary of state - and the second to serve under President Donald Trump. Despite objections from dozens of Democrats who have expressed concern about his record of hawkish foreign policy positions and controversial comments about Muslims , the Republican-controlled Senate narrowly voted 57 to 42 to approve Pompeo as the nation's top diplomat.

Macron, Merkel expected to push Trump on keeping US in Iran nuclear deal

French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived at the White House Monday evening to the pomp and circumstance typical of a state visit, the choreography of which he is expected to balance against a delicate diplomatic effort to persuade President Donald Trump to remain in the Iran nuclear deal. Macron, along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel are making back-to-back visits with the president this week in a last-minute lobbying push to prevent the president from potentially sabotaging the agreement.

After close vote, panel sends Pompeo nomination to Senate Source: AP

Mike Pompeo, President Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state, avoided a rare rebuke Monday as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee narrowly recommended him, but the vote served as a warning shot to the White House as nominees to lead the CIA and Veterans Affairs are hitting stiff resistance. Pompeo, who's now CIA director, received the panel's approval only after Trump's last-minute overtures to Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

Senate panel approves Mike Pompeo as secretary of State after Rand Paul flips to support

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved CIA Director Mike Pompeo as secretary of State on party lines Monday after a Republican holdout changed his mind at the last minute, avoiding an embarrassing defeat for President Donald Trump. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky had vowed to oppose Pompeo, but Paul tweeted shortly before the vote that after speaking repeatedly to the nominee and Trump he was convinced Pompeo now agreed with the president that "the Iraq war was a mistake and it is time to leave Afghanistan," two of the congressman's key concerns.

Pompeo nomination clears panel, on to full Senate for vote

Mike Pompeo, President Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state, avoided a rare rebuke Monday as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee narrowly recommended him, but the vote served as a warning shot to the White House as nominees to lead the CIA and Veterans Affairs are hitting stiff resistance. Pompeo, who's now CIA director, received the panel's approval only after Trump's last-minute overtures to Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

Pompeo on track for committee approval after Rand Paul flips vote

Sen. Rand Paul announced Monday that he will support the nomination of Mike Pompeo to be secretary of state, a last-minute reversal that now avoids a historic rebuke of the President's pick to be the country's top diplomat. The Kentucky Republican's decision will now allow Pompeo to be reported favorably out of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee.

Two Democratic senators line up behind Pompeo

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he's looking forward to voting to confirm President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, later this week in the Senate. McConnell is making the upbeat assessment after two more Democratic senators announced support for Pompeo, now the CIA director, despite steep opposition expected Monday evening at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.