Biden has to wait for the weekend to elect the State Department

President Biden’s promise to bring the United States back to the global stage is delayed – at least for a few days – in the Senate, where his candidate for secretary of state, Anthony BlinkAnthony BlinkenState Dept. to Review Trump’s Decision to Label Houth as a Terrorist Organization Overnight Defense: Austin Takes Lead at Pentagon | COVID-19 agenda information part of Day 1 | Revolt over images of National Guard troops in Senate garage confirms Austin will lead Pentagon under Biden MORE, is in confirmation language.

Some Senate Democrats have criticized the delay, saying the Senate should have already voted to confirm it.

“The Secretary of State is the fourth in line of succession. Leaving this vacant office is irresponsible “, Sen. Robert MenendezRobert (Bob) Menendez: Senate presses Biden election for secretary of state for Iran, China, Russia and Yemen New Year’s agreement creates Latin American, women’s history museums MPs call for inclusion of Latin creation, women’s history museums in the final expenditure agreement (DN.J.), the new chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement on Thursday.

White House Friday seems to minimize the delay as it thanks the Senate for confirming Biden’s election to the Pentagon.

“I know that our secretary of state is about to be confirmed, or so it seems. [Mitch] McConnell [R-Ky.] he tells us “, press secretary from the White House Jen PsakiJen PsakiBiden under pressure to take more photos COVID-19 Biden and Trudeau agree to meet next month Democrats seek answers on impact of Russian cyber attack on Justice Department, Courts MORE said.

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

Harris will cast his 50-50 tie in the Senate, giving Democrats a majority.

But Democrats and Republicans have not agreed on rules for the Senate, which means Republicans still have majorities on some committees.

Fighting for elections has also contributed to a slow pace of nominations.

The Senate has confirmed the election of Biden as director of its national intelligence services, April HainesAvril HainesBiden DHS, Intel considers stress necessary to prioritize cybersecurity after SolarWinds hacks Biden Intel Chief Nominee Avril Haines promises public report on QAnon threat Former Biden intellectual leader Trump introduces Biden nominee Hiden, on Thursday. On Friday, the defense secretary confirmed Lloyd AustinLloyd Austin: The Trump removal process will begin the week of February 8th. Trump DHS chief pleads for quick confirmation of Biden’s election amid Hawley’s overnight defense: Austin takes over helm at Pentagon | COVID-19 agenda information part of Day 1 | Revolt over the images of the National Guard troops in the parking garage MORE.

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

Monday is the earliest confirmation vote, according to a Republican Senate aide who said Risch is working to get the unanimous consent of members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to allow the confirmation vote to continue.

If no unanimous agreement is reached, the full committee will vote Monday night on whether to send Blinken’s confirmation to the Senate for a vote.

Another reason why Blinken’s nomination was postponed is that committee members are working to review his answers to at least 780 questions from parliamentarians. Blinken also attended a nearly five-hour hearing on Tuesday.

In comparison, 550 written questions were sent to the former President TrumpDonald Trump McCarthy says he told Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene he disagrees with his indictments against Biden Biden, Trudeau agrees to meet next month Trump plans to step down AG to overturn election results Georgia: reports MOREthe last secretary of state, Mike PompeoMike PompeoState Dept. to review Trump’s decision to label Houthis as a terrorist organization VOA reinstates replaced White House reporter after questioning Pompeo Jilani: China “sends clear message” to Biden officials with sanctions that opposition could lead to “pay cuts future ”MORE. Trump’s first nominee, Rex TillersonRex Wayne Tillerson Tillerson: “We missed the best opportunity we had in North Korea” State Department sets up new cybersecurity office and emerging technologies MPs express concern over lack of young people in federal workforce MORE, i sa dat 715.

Secretaries of State John KerryJohn KerryParis agreement: Biden’s chance to restore international position Kerry promises Europeans that Biden will seek to make time for climate action OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden recommends US climate deal in Paris | Biden nixes Keystone XL permit, stop renting Arctic refuge | Home Secretary cancels wildlife protection order before leaving office MORE and Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton Texas Supreme Court rejects Alex Jones’ request to sue Sandy Hook parents Paris agreement: Biden’s chance to restore Samantha Power’s Herculean pregnancy: Turning a screw with a rubber screwdriver MORE, who both served in the Obama administration, had to answer 291 and 498 questions, respectively.

The Republican aide defended the number of questions.

“The president doesn’t like to ask questions just to ask questions, they were all substantive, at least the questions I sent,” the assistant said.

The assistant added that the committee is on pace to move Blinken’s nomination faster than Tillerson’s. He was confirmed almost three weeks after his marathon hearing in front of the commission.

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

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

James Dobbins, a senior member of RAND Corporation and former assistant secretary of state for Europe, said the delay in Blinken’s confirmation vote was not “extraordinary at the moment, but if it persisted for a few more days, it would 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 are addressed,” he said.

“I think it’s delaying the normalization of relations between the United States and its allies. It may also be delayed in dealing with probably not the most pressing issues, but also urgent issues with opponents and other countries, ”he added.

Foreign diplomats are eager to engage 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 bit of enthusiasm in the capitals and people who want to talk to people and that delays even more,” said a European diplomat, who asked to remain anonymous to speak honestly.

“It is what it is – there are only a few days left, after a few months in which I could not engage with the president of the United States team.”

Despite not having the full team in place, Biden is working to sign a series of executive orders that include reversing the Trump administration’s foreign policy actions.

This includes accession to 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 glad that the United States remains a family,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. he said during the first meeting with Anthony FauciAnthony FauciOvernight Health – Fauci: Lack of Facts “Probably” Costed Life in Coronavirus | CDC Amends COVID-19 Vaccine Guide to Allow Rare Mixing of Photos Pfizer, Modern | Senate chaos threatens to slow down Biden Fauci’s agenda enraged by family threats Poll: Plural voters say coronavirus vaccine will be slower than expected, Biden’s envoy to the WHO.

Biden is relying on his 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 will be “a short time” before Biden’s first trip abroad, Biden national security adviser will receive introductory calls with foreign counterparts Biden at the nix border wall, the “Muslim ban” on the first day according to the Ministry of Interior A LOTBiden’s national security adviser organized separate introductory calls with senior national security officials in France, Germany and the United Kingdom, discussing issues related to China, Iran and Russia.

Sullivan also made an appeal to the secretary general of the secretariat of national security in Japan. Their conversation focused on the challenges of COVID-19, China and North Korea.

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

The treaty imposes limits on each country’s nuclear weapons arsenal and allows for inspections by both sides to verify compliance.

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

Blinken, in his confirmation hearing, mentioned the treaty as one of the first working orders he would come to the Senate to work on extending it.

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