Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) announced Monday he would vote to confirm CIA Director Mike Pompeo as secretary of state.
Manchin made his intention known on Twitter, saying he had met with the Trump nominee and believes Pompeo has distinguished himself at the helm of the CIA and during his career in public service.
"After meeting with Mike Pompeo, discussing his foreign policy perspectives, & considering his distinguished time as CIA Director & his exemplary career in public service, I will vote to confirm Mike Pompeo to be our next Secretary of State," Manchin tweeted.
After meeting with Mike Pompeo, discussing his foreign policy perspectives, & considering his distinguished time as CIA Director & his exemplary career in public service, I will vote to confirm Mike Pompeo to be our next Secretary of State.
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) April 23, 2018
Manchin's announcement echoes a similar decision made by Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D., N.D.) on Thursday. Both Manchin and Heitkamp are Democrats facing tough reelection challenges in states President Donald Trump won overwhelmingly in 2016.
The support of red-state Democrats will be vital in confirming Pompeo as Republicans hold a slim 51-49 majority in the United States Senate. Republican Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) has maintained his intention to vote against Pompeo's nomination for the same reasons he opposed his confirmation as CIA director. Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) is absent from the Senate undergoing treatment for cancer, and Sen. Jeff Flake (R., Ariz.) is undecided.
Manchin and Heitkamp were two of the 15 senators who crossed the floor to vote for Pompeo's confirmation to lead the CIA over a year ago.
Last month, the president nominated Pompeo to replace Rex Tillerson at the State Department.