Schatz Says He Will Vote Against Pompeo Nomination

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said he will vote against CIA Director Mike Pompeo for the secretary of state’s job.

Schatz’s announcement came in a tweet on Wednesday evening.

He is the first Democrat who had voted to confirm Pompeo as CIA director to oppose his nomination to run the State Department, The Hill noted.

Pompeo was picked for the post at the State Department after President Donald Trump ousted Rex Tillerson from the job.

Pompeo appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for a hearing on his nomination.

The Hill noted the other 13 Democrats, who had voted to confirm Pompeo for the CIA job have not yet said how they will vote this time around.

But some have already voiced their reluctance. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said last month has "grave concerns" about the nomination of Pompeo, The Hill said.

• Protesters Interrupt as Pompeo Hearing Begins
• Pompeo: Years of Soft US Response to Russia 'Are Over'