Biden has to wait the weekend for the State Department to be picked up

President Biden’s pledge to bring the US back on the world stage is being postponed – at least for a few days – in the Senate, where his candidate for Secretary of State, Antony BlinkAntony Blinken State Dept. to Overhaul Trump Admin Decision to Label Houthis a Terrorist Organization Overnight Defense: Austin Takes Command at Pentagon | COVID-19 briefing part of day 1 agenda | Outrage over footage of National Guard troops in Senate parking garage confirms Austin leads Pentagon under Biden MORE, is in limbo confirmation.

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

‘The State Secretary is the fourth in line of succession. Leaving that office empty is irresponsible, ”Sen. Robert MenendezRobert (Bob) MenendezSenate Presses Biden’s Choice of Secretary of State on Iran, China, Russia and Yemen Year-end deal creates American Latino, women’s history museums Legislators call for establishment of Latino women’s history museums to be included in year-end spending deal LAKE (DN.J.), the incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in floor comments on Thursday.

The White House appeared to be downplaying the delay on Friday as it thanked the Senate for confirming Biden’s choice for the Pentagon.

“I know our secretary of state is about to be confirmed, senator at least. [Mitch] McConnell [R-Ky.] tells us, ”White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen Psaki Biden Under Pressure To Get More COVID-19 Shots Biden, Trudeau Agree To Meet Next Month Democrats Seek Answers On The Impact Of Russian Cyber ​​Attack On Justice, Courts MORE said.

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

Harris will break the state of affairs in the 50-50 Senate, giving Democrats the majority.

But Democrats and Republicans have failed to agree on organizational rules for the Senate, meaning Republicans still hold a majority on some committees.

The election battles also contributed to the slow pace of nominations.

The Senate upheld Biden’s choice as its director of the National Intelligence Service, April HainesAvril Haines Biden DHS, Intel Chooses Need to Prioritize Cybersecurity After SolarWinds Hack Biden Intel Chief Nominee Avril Haines Promises Public Report on QAnon Threat Former Trump intel chief Coats introduces Biden nominee Haines on hearing MORE, on Thursday. On Friday, the defense minister confirmed Lloyd AustinLloyd AustinTrump impeachment lawsuit begins Feb. 8 Trump DHS chief calls for prompt confirmation of Biden choice amid Hawley guard. Night Defense: Austin Takes Command at Pentagon | COVID-19 briefing part of day 1 agenda | Outrage over images of National Guard troops in parking MORE.

Blinken could be confirmed early next week, and Senator James Risch (R-Idaho) said there should be a strong bipartisan interest to confirm him.

According to an aide to the Republican Senate, a vote can be taken on Monday at the earliest, who said Risch is working to get unanimous approval from members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to allow the confirmation vote to go through.

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

Another reason Blinken’s appointment has been delayed is that committee members are reviewing his answers to at least 780 questions from lawmakers. Blinken also participated in a nearly five-hour hearing on Tuesday.

In comparison: to the former President TrumpDonald Trump McCarthy says he has rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has said he disagreed with her impeachment articles against Biden Biden, Trudeau agreed to meet next month Trump planned to impeach acting AG to reverse Georgia’s election resultsthe last secretary of state, Mike PompeoMike Pompeo State Dept. To review Trump admin decision to label Houthis a terrorist organization VOA recovers White House reporter reassigned after questioning Pompeo Jilani: China ‘sends clear message’ to sanctioned Biden officials that opposition can lead to ‘future pay cut’ MORE. Trump’s first nominee, Rex TillersonRex Wayne TillersonTillerson: ‘We Wasted Best Opportunity We Had in North Korea’ State Department Establishes New Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies Agency Legislators Express Concerns About Lack of Young People in Federal Workforce MORE, got 715.

Secretaries of State John KerryJohn Kerry Deal in Paris: Biden’s Chance to Restore International Reputation Kerry Promises Europeans Biden Will Try to Make Up Time for Climate Action ENERGY OVERNIGHT: Biden Recommends US to Follow Paris Climate Agreement | Biden Ignores Keystone XL License, Stops Leasing Arctic Refuge | The Home Secretary will revoke the wilderness protection order before leaving MORE and Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton Texas Supreme Court Rejects Alex Jones’ Petition to Reject Sandy Hook’s Parents Paris Agreement: Biden’s Chance to Restore International Reputation Samantha Power’s Massive Job: Turning a Screw with a Rubber Screwdriver MORE, both of whom served in the Obama administration, were required to answer 291 and 498 questions, respectively.

The Republican assistant defended the number of questions.

“The chairman does not like to ask questions just to ask questions, they were all substantive, at least the questions we submitted,” said the assistant.

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

“Risch supports unprecedented campaigns, including one [unanimous consent] agreement that would circumvent the regular commission of the commission, ”the Republican assistant said of Blinken’s confirmation.

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

James Dobbins, a senior fellow at the RAND Corporation and who has served as Assistant Secretary of State for Europe, said the delay in Blinken’s confirmation vote is not “ extraordinary at this point, but if it took a few more days it would it become unusual. ”

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

“I think it slows the normalization of relations between the United States and its allies. It can also delay the handling of probably not the most urgent issues, as well as pressing issues with opponents and other countries, ”he added.

Foreign diplomats are eager to interact with Blinken, the Biden administration and their senior staff, after months of strict contactless policy between the transition team and foreign governments.

“Obviously there is a little excitement in capitals and people want to talk to people, and that slows that down even more,” said a European diplomat, who wanted to remain anonymous and speak candidly.

“It is what it is – it’s just another few days after not being able to communicate with the president of the US team for a few months.”

Despite not having his full team, Biden continues to sign a slew of executive orders, including the Trump administration’s rollback of foreign policy actions.

This includes re-joining the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement, steps welcomed by US allies.

“WHO is a family of nations and we are all happy for the United States to stay in the family,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization said during the first meeting with Anthony FauciAnthony FauciOvernight Healthcare – Fauci: Lack of Facts ‘Probably’ Costs Lives in Fight Against Coronavirus | CDC Changes COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines to Rare Mix of Pfizer, Moderna Shots | Chaos in Senate threatens to slow down Biden’s agenda Fauci furious with threats to family Poll: Many voters say coronavirus vaccine rollout is slower than expected MORE, Biden’s envoy to the WHO.

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

Jake SullivanJake Sullivan White House: It will be ‘a little time’ before Biden’s first trip abroad Biden national security adviser makes introductory calls with foreign counterparts Biden to ignore border wall, ‘Muslim ban’ on first day in office MOREBiden’s national security adviser held separate introductory telephone conversations with senior national security officials from France, Germany and the United Kingdom on issues related to China, Iran and Russia.

Sullivan also met with the Secretary General of Japan’s National Security Secretariat. Their conversation was about challenges from COVID-19, China and North Korea.

One of the most pressing issues that Blinken is expected to address, if confirmed, is working with Congress to extend the New START nuclear treaty with Russia. It expires on February 5.

The treaty imposes restrictions on each country’s nuclear arsenal and allows inspections on both sides to verify compliance.

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

Blinken noted during his hearing that the treaty was one of the first things he would come to the Senate to work on its extension.

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