Outgoing CIA Director Mike Pompeo cleared his last hurdle to become secretary of state when the Senate voted midday Thursday to confirm him.
Pompeo's confirmation narrowly made it out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Monday after last-minute support from Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. He was expected to have an easier time in the full Senate.
Pompeo replaces Rex Tillerson, the former Exxon Mobil CEO fired by President Donald Trump on Twitter last month.
A long list of pressing issues awaits him including a decision on the Iran nuclear deal and Trump's upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.