The U.S. Senate voted 78-22 to confirm Antony Blinken as Secretary of State. Blinken is the fourth member of President Joe Biden's cabinet to be confirmed, following Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
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- During his confirmation hearing, Blinken said that the Biden administration plans to take a strong stance against China and Russia.
- He indicated that the U.S. will return to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – which is commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal – if Iran resumes compliance.
- Blinken praised the diplomatic deals between Israel and Arab states that were brokered by the Trump administration. He vowed the U.S. would not close its embassy in Jerusalem.
- All 22 senators that voted against Blinken's confirmation were Republicans.
- Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate will next vote to confirm Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary and Alejandro Mayorkas to oversee the Department of Homeland Security.