Clinton Moves Toward Senate Backing as Top U.S. Envoy
By Bloomberg News
This article was published January 21, 2009 at 1:38 p.m.
The Senate moved toward confirming Hillary Clinton as U.S. secretary of state after Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn said concerns about donations to her husband's foundation don't override her fitness for the job.
"My concern is not whether our colleague, Senator Clinton, is qualified to be secretary of state or not," said Cornyn, who delayed her confirmation by unanimous consent yesterday for a Senate floor debate today on the disclosure issue. "She is, and I intend to vote for her confirmation."
The vote, scheduled for later today, will let Clinton take office and begin working with President Barack Obama on foreign policy issues, including the shaky cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Iran's nuclear program.
The possibility that foreign donations to former President Bill Clinton's foundation might create the appearance of improper influence on the nation's top diplomat was a concern voiced by Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
Hillary Clinton rejected a request from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week for broader limits on contributions to the William J. Clinton Foundation, saying disclosure terms worked out with Obama's transition team were adequate and went beyond legal requirements.
The organization raises money for charitable causes such as treating people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and also financed the building of his presidential library.
Kerry, Lugar
Massachusetts Democrat John Kerry, chairman of the committee, has backed some of the Republican concerns even while saying Clinton's confirmation should go ahead. Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana, the top Republican on the panel, outlined a list of further measures the foundation should take to monitor and disclose foreign contributions.
Still, Lugar said he would back Clinton, and the committee agreed 16-1 to recommend her confirmation last week. Louisiana Republican David Vitter cast the dissenting vote because of the donations issue.
"We don't contest the legitimacy" of the concerns, Kerry said during today's floor debate. He said he agreed with Lugar that "perhaps going further would have cleared some of the questions that still exist."
Obama's Republican rival for the presidency, Senator John McCain of Arizona, interceded during today's debate to urge quick confirmation.
'Urgent' Duties
Clinton should be allowed to "take up the urgent and important duties" of secretary of state, McCain said on the Senate floor. "We shouldn't delay."
Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns is in charge at the State Department until Clinton takes the post.
The Senate yesterday unanimously confirmed seven other nominees for Obama's administration. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is staying on.
Clinton last week gave a farewell speech in anticipation of resigning her Senate seat, where she has represented New York since 2000.
New York Governor David Paterson has promised to name a replacement shortly after her confirmation as secretary of state and is considering candidates including Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy.
