[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Nomination of Mike Pompeo

  Mr. President, I also commend to the Senate the nomination of Mike 
Pompeo as the next Secretary of State and express my support for his 
nomination.
  After graduating first in his class at West Point and serving in the 
U.S. Army, Mike Pompeo attended Harvard Law School. He had a successful 
career in law and business before transitioning into public service as 
an elected official. He served as a Congressman in the U.S. House of 
Representatives for Kansas's Fourth Congressional District, and he 
served in the U.S. House on the Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence. He was, of course, named by President Trump to lead the 
CIA after President Trump was elected.
  Director Pompeo is smart and well respected by all. He has developed 
a keen sense of the delicate nature of global diplomacy and the crucial 
and indispensable role that America plays in world affairs. I know he 
has great personal rapport and the confidence of the President, and I 
think he will make an excellent Secretary of State.
  Earlier this month, a group of influential conservatives sent a 
letter applauding Director Pompeo's nomination. They praised his 
management of the CIA and the trust he has earned of career officials 
there. They noted Director Pompeo's firsthand knowledge of the 
legislative process, something that is always handy for an executive 
branch official. They noted his congressional relationships--as we 
know, relationships are very important here, as well--but also his 
experience serving in the military, which gives him a unique 
perspective on a wide variety of issues.
  I have worked with the Director on a number of occasions, including 
recently, when we worked together on the reauthorization of the Foreign 
Intelligence Surveillance Act section 702 program, which the 
intelligence community uses to monitor the communications of terrorists 
and other people who are a threat to the national security of the 
United States. Without the Director's stalwart support, we would not 
have been successful at renewing that program for 6 more years this 
last January.
  The Director never waivers from a fight, even under pressure, and he 
understands the important role that our intelligence officials have in 
responding to national security threats. That characteristic of his--
not backing down from a fight--is important for a Secretary of State 
because inevitably they are involved in controversial matters. I 
believe he has the personal tact, skill, and intelligence to be able to 
deal with our allies and to address our adversaries on the world stage 
in a way that would help the United States and help us lead in the 
world.
  Once he is confirmed, Americans would be fortunate to have Mike 
Pompeo's critical eye trained on difficult conflicts like that in 
Syria, upcoming negotiations on denuclearization with North Korea, the 
growing threat posed by China and its dictatorship, and the new and 
evolving forms of Russian aggression, including meddling in our 
elections. Mike Pompeo is not naive about these dangers. He is 
thoughtful, and I expect that, once confirmed, he will be direct, 
respectful, and collaborative in working with the White House and the 
Congress.
  I strongly support the President's nomination of Mike Pompeo for 
Secretary of State, and I urge my colleagues to do likewise.
  I yield the floor
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Young). The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (The remarks of Mr. Daines pertaining to the introduction of S. 2640 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Massachusetts.