US senate confirms Mike Pompeo as secretary of state

Outgoing CIA director will replace Rex Tillerson after receiving 57 votes

US Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo is a former Republican congressman from Kansas. File photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
US Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo is a former Republican congressman from Kansas. File photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

The US senate has narrowly confirmed Mike Pompeo to be the next secretary of state.

The outgoing CIA director secured support from 57 senators, with 42 voting no and one senator absent.

It is one of the slimmest margins for the job in recent history.

Every past nominee since Jimmy Carter’s administration has received 85 or more yes votes, with the exception of Mr Trump’s first secretary of state, Rex Tillerson.

He got 56 yes votes.

Mr Pompeo is a former Republican congressman from Kansas.

He is expected to be sworn in almost immediately so he can begin serving as top diplomat.

Mr Pompeo has been deeply engaged in the administration’s efforts on North Korea and recently travelled to Pyongyang. – AP

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