Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's nomination as Israel ambassador approved by Senate committee, floor vote to follow
WASHINGTON – A former Arkansas governor's move to ambassadorship cleared a hurdle on Tuesday after a Senate committee vote.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved former Gov. Mike Huckabee as the nominee for ambassador to Israel. Huckabee, the state's 44th governor and father of current Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, was nominated by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office in January.
Trump picks former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel
The committee approved Huckabee's nomination, along with Ron Johnson's nomination as ambassador to Mexico and Kevin Cabrera's nomination as ambassador to Panama.
Foreign Relations Committee chair Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) said the committee would continue to support Trump's nominees.
'With the passage of these three qualified nominees, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has now approved the nomination of 10 of President Trump's national security nominees,' Risch said. 'We will do all we can to keep up this quick pace to ensure President Trump and Secretary Rubio have the support they need. I urge my colleagues to confirm these qualified nominees when they come to the Senate floor.'
Senate confirmation hearings held for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's Israel ambassadorship
An ordained Southern Baptist minister, Huckabee has led multiple tours to Israel. According to the U.S. State Department Certificate of Competency, he 'has a deep familiarity with Israel's people and its leaders.'
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