US Senate Committee Okays Kerry Nomination

Senator John Kerry easily cleared the first hurdle of his confirmation as the next secretary of state Tuesday with a unanimous vote of approval by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Published

4 months ago

Categories

US

Topics

US Politics, United States

People

Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry

Places

United States of America, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C.

Tags

secretary of state

Transcript

SHOTLIST: WASHINGTON, JANUARY 29, 2013, SOURCE: CBS **RESTRICTIONS: NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes No Japan No Free over the air broadcasters in Australia No US cable news outlets, free over the air networks or stations, their websites and their mobile phone services SOUNDBITE 1 Robert Menendez (man), Democratic Senator from New Jersey (English, 8 sec): "All those in favor say 'aye' [senators unanimously respond 'aye']. Opposed say 'nay'. [no one reponds]. The 'ayes' have it and the nomination is favorably reported to the Senate." SOUNDBITE 2 John Kerry (man), Senator from Massachusetts, next secretary of state (English, 12 sec): "What a privilege, seriously, to work with you and now to work with you in a different way. I thank you very, very much. [applause]" - start of the senators' meeting - Kerry entering the room after the vote - senators give him a signed a resolution praising his work in the Senate --------------------- AFP TEXT STORY: US-diplomacy-Kerry,lead US Senate committee okays Kerry nomination WASHINGTON, Jan 29, 2013 (AFP) - Senator John Kerry easily cleared the first hurdle of his confirmation as the next secretary of state Tuesday with a unanimous vote of approval by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Kerry, President Barack Obama's pick to replace Hillary Clinton as the nation's top diplomat, must still be confirmed by a vote of the full Senate later in the day, but that was expected to be a shoo in. His colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which Kerry chairs, gave him a unanimous vote of approval, with Republicans joining Democrats. Kerry, who did not vote, said he was "humbled" and gratified. "They've been wonderful, they've been really superb," he said of his colleagues on the committee, adding, "I'm very wistful about it, it's not easy" leaving.