WASHINGTON — A Senate panel has advanced the president's nominee to be America's No. 2 diplomat over the objections of Sen. John McCain and other Republicans.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted by voice Thursday to send Tony Blinken's confirmation to a full Senate vote.
McCain expanded on objections he raised last week, when he slowed Blinken's nomination.
The Arizona senator believes Blinken isn't qualified to be deputy secretary of state because of comments he made in 2012 touting Iraq's security, prosperity and democracy.
Four other Republicans asked for their no votes to be recorded: Jim Risch of Idaho, Marco Rubio of Florida, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and John Barrasso of Wyoming.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Politics
Nation
Hope Hicks, ex-Trump adviser, recounts political firestorm in 2016 over 'Access Hollywood' tape
Donald Trump's 2016 campaign was seized with worry about the potential political damage from a tape that showed Trump bragging about grabbing women sexually without their permission, longtime Trump adviser Hope Hicks testified Friday at his hush money trial.
Nation
'Star Wars' actor Mark Hamill drops by White House for a visit with 'Joe-bi-Wan Kenobi'
''Star Wars'' actor Mark Hamill dropped by the White House on Friday for a visit with President Joe Biden and walked away with a pair of the president's aviator sunglasses and a greater respect for the office.
Business
Democratic officials criticize Meta ad policy, saying it amplifies lies about 2020 election
Several Democrats serving as their state's top election officials have sent a letter to the parent company of Facebook, asking it to stop allowing ads that claim the 2020 presidential election was stolen.
Business
Three groups are suing New Jersey to block an offshore wind farm
Three anti-wind power groups are suing New Jersey to overturn a key environmental approval for a wind energy farm planned off the coast of Long Beach Island.
Nation
South Dakota Gov. Noem erroneously describes meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un in new book
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem described in a new book having met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during her time in Congress. But her office said Friday that the story of the meeting was an error as further scrutiny was put on the Republican governor's life story.