WASHINGTON: A Senate committee approved the nomination of US PresidentDonald Trump’s choice for secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, on Monday aftera Republican senator who had been opposed threw his support behind the CIAdirector in the face of party pressure.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the nomination on aparty-line vote, with all 11 Republicans backing him, nine Democratsopposed, and one Democrat, Chris Coons, voting “present” because oneRepublican was at a funeral out of town.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said there were enough votes in the fullSenate to confirm Pompeo this week. That would allow Pompeo to attend aNATO summit on Friday.

Pompeo became one of Trump’s closest advisers during his 15 months as CIAdirector. He most recently has been deeply involved in preparations forTrump’s summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, including meeting withhim three weeks ago.