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.
