Senate panel to hold Pompeo nomination hearing next month

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said on Tuesday that his panel is planning to hold a hearing next month for CIA Director Mike Pompeo’s nomination to lead the State Department.

“I had a very good conversation with Director Pompeo this morning and look forward to meeting with him soon. As I shared with the president, the committee will consider his nomination as expeditiously as possible,” Corker said in a statement.

Though the State Department shake-up has been rumored for months, President Trump’s announcement early Tuesday morning appears to have taken Washington by surprise.

“Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all,” Trump said in a tweet.

Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2018

{mosads}Pompeo netted the support of 14 Democrats and independent Sen. Angus King (Maine) in January 2017, when he was confirmed to his current post as CIA director in a 66-32 vote.

Because of the Senate’s schedule, any confirmation hearing will need to occur after April 9.

Congress is expected to leave town for a two-week recess on March 23.