Biden has to wait this weekend for the choice of the state department

President Biden’s promise to bring the US back to the world level is delayed by at least a few days in the Senate, where his nominated foreign minister. Antony BlinkenAntony Blinken State Department to review Trump’s decision to call Houthis a terrorist organization Overnight Defense: Austin takes over at Pentagon | COVID-19 Day 1 Agenda Information Session | Outrage over images of National Guard troops in Senate parking garage confirms Austin will lead Pentagon under Biden MORE, is in confirmation limbo.

Some Senate Democrats have criticized the delay, arguing that the Senate should already vote on its confirmation.

‘The foreign minister is fourth in the line of succession. It is irresponsible to leave that office vacant, ”said Sen. Robert MenendezRobert (Bob) Menendez Senate presses on Biden’s election of foreign minister over Iran, China, Russia and Yemen Year-end deal creates US Latino, women’s history museums Legislators call for more inclusion of Latino’s women’s history museums in year-end spending (DN.J.), the incoming chairman of the Senate’s foreign relations committee, said in remarks Thursday.

The White House apparently downplayed the delay on Friday while thanking the Senate for confirming Biden’s choice for the Pentagon.

‘I know our Secretary of State is about to be confirmed, or what Sen. [Mitch] McConnell [R-Ky.] tell us, ”said White House Press Secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiBiden under pressure to deliver more COVID-19 shots Biden, Trudeau agrees to meet next month Democrats seek answers over the impact of the Russian cyber attack on the Justice Department, courts MORE said.

It was a chaotic few weeks in the Senate, where power shifted on Wednesday when three new Democratic senators were sworn in – including the two who won the elections in Georgia earlier this month – along with Vice President Harris.

Harris will cast the decisive vote in the 50-50 Senate, which will give the Democrats the majority.

But Democrats and Republicans did not agree on the rules for organizing for the Senate, meaning Republicans still have a majority in some committees.

Elections over the election also contributed to a slow pace of nominations.

The Senate does confirm Biden’s choice as its director of national intelligence, Avril HainesAvril HainesBiden DHS, Intel chooses stress to prioritize cyber security after SolarWinds nominates Biden Intel nominated chief Avril Haines promises public report on QAnon threat Former Trump chief Coats proposes Biden-nominated Haines during trial of MORE, on Thursday. On Friday, it confirmed the Minister of Defense Lloyd AustinLloyd AustinTrump indictment begins week February 8 Trump DHS chief pleads for speedy confirmation of Biden choice amid Hawley’s overnight defense: Austin takes over at Pentagon | COVID-19 Day 1 Agenda Information Session | Outrage over images of National Guard troops in parking garage.

Blinken can be confirmed early next week, and Senator James Risch (R-Idaho) said there must be a strong two-party interest in confirming him.

According to a Republican assistant to the Senate, Monday is the earliest a confirmation vote can take place, who said Risch is working to obtain unanimous approval from members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to continue the confirmation vote.

If unanimous consent is not reached, the full committee will vote Monday night or Blinken’s confirmation will be sent to the Senate floor for a vote.

Another reason why Blinken’s nomination has been delayed is that committee members are reviewing his answers to at least 780 questions submitted by lawmakers. Blinken also took part in a nearly five-hour trial on Tuesday.

For comparison, 550 written questions to former President TrumpDonald Trump McCarthy says he to rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said he did not agree with her accusations against Biden Biden. Trudeau agrees to meet next month. Trump plans to oust acting AGM to reverse Georgia election results: MORE reports‘s last Foreign Minister, Mike PompeoMike PompeoState Dept. to review Trump’s decision to call Houthis a terrorist organization. VOA reinstalls White House reporter after questioning Pompeo Jilani: China ‘sends a clear message’ to Biden officials with sanctions that opposition could lead to more ‘future wage cuts’. Trump’s first nominee, Rex TillersonRex Wayne TillersonTillerson: ‘We squandered the best opportunity we’ve had on North Korea’, sets up a new office for cyber security and emerging technology. Legislators express concern about the lack of young people in the federal workforce MORE, 715 was given.

State Secretaries John KerryJohn KerryParis agreement: Biden’s chance to restore international position Kerry promises Europeans Biden will try to make time for climate action OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden reconnects America to Paris climate agreement | Biden nixes Keystone XL permit, stop leasing Arctic refuge | Home Secretary revokes the wilderness protection order before leaving the office MORE and Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton Texas High Court Rejects Alex Jones ‘Request to Record Sandy Hook Parents’ Litigation in Paris: Biden’s Chance to Restore Samantha Power’s International Status: Tightening a Screwdriver with a Rubber Screwdriver MORE, who both served in the Obama administration, had to answer 291 and 498 questions, respectively.

The Republican assistant defended the number of questions.

“The chairman did not like to ask questions just to ask questions, it was all substantive, at least the questions we submitted,” the assistant said.

The assistant added that the committee is on track to get Blinken’s nomination moving faster than that of Tillerson. He was confirmed before the committee almost three weeks after his marathon hearing.

“Risch supports unprecedented actions, including a [unanimous consent] agreement that would circumvent the regular order of the committee, ”the Republican assistant said on Blinken’s confirmation.

In the absence of a confirmed secretary, the State Department is run by Director of the Foreign Service Institute Daniel Smith.

James Dobbins, a senior fellow at the RAND Corporation and who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Europe, said that the delay in Blinken’s confirmation vote was not ‘extraordinary at this stage, but if it lingered for a few more days, it will become unusual. ”

“The Secretary of State is the face of American diplomacy and the person to whom the people responsible for the diplomacy of other countries turn,” he said.

“I think it slows down the normalization of relations between the United States and its allies. It can also delay the handling of, probably not the most urgent problems, but also urgent problems with opponents and other countries, ‘he added.

Foreign diplomats are eager to enter into talks with Blinken, the Biden administration and their senior staff, after months of strict no-contact policy between the transition team and foreign governments.

“Obviously there is a bit of excitement in capitals and people who want to talk to people, and that slows it down further,” said one European diplomat, who asked to remain anonymous to speak openly.

“That’s what it is – it’s just a few more days, after a few months we could not connect with the president of the American team.”

Despite not having his full team in place, Biden is campaigning for the signing of a stack of executive orders that include the reversal of foreign policy actions by the Trump administration.

These include rejoining the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement, which are welcomed by US allies.

“WHO is a family of nations and we are all glad that the United States remains in the family,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. said during the first meeting with Anthony FauciAnthony FauciOvernight Health Care – Fauci: lack of facts likely to cost lives in coronavirus battle | CDC changes COVID-19 vaccine line to barely mix Pfizer, Moderna shots | Senate chaos threatens to delay Biden’s agenda Fauci furious over threats to family Poll: Multiple voters say coronavirus vaccine will be delayed longer than expected MORE, Biden’s envoy to the WHO.

Biden relies on its National Security Council to engage with close US allies on urgent issues related to Russia, North Korea, Iran and China.

Jake SullivanJake Sullivan White House: It’s been a while before Biden’s first foreign trip Biden national security adviser makes introductory calls with foreign counterparts Biden to NO longer keep the border wall, the ‘Muslim ban’, in office on the first day, Biden’s national security adviser, made separate introductions with senior national security officials from France, Germany and the UK discussing issues concerning China, Iran and Russia.

Sullivan also made a call with the Secretary-General of Japan’s National Security Secretariat. Their conversation focused on challenges from COVID-19, China and North Korea.

One of the most urgent issues Blinken is expected to address once it is confirmed is working with Congress to extend the New START nuclear treaty with Russia. It expires February 5th.

The treaty places limits on the nuclear weapons of each country and provides for inspections on both sides to verify compliance.

White House spokesman Jen Psaki told reporters on Thursday that the president wanted to extend the treaty by five years, an announcement that welcomed Russia.

In his confirmation hearing, Blinken noted the treaty as one of the first issues he would come to the Senate to work on enlargement.

“What I can tell you is that I know we will come to you very soon, almost immediately to discuss it,” he said.