Rumors from Trump’s transition team have recently emerged floating John Bolton and Rudy Giuliani as potential Secretary of State appointees. Earlier today, Senator Rand Paul responded to such reports by describing both potential selections as, “the most bellicose interventionist wing of any party.” He later reiterated his stance by stating his inability to support anyone who “didn’t learn the lesson of the Iraq War.” Senator Paul’s role on the Senate Foreign Relations committee makes his reluctance to confirm either potential appointee an even more interesting scenario. Given the committee’s makeup of 10 Republican and 9 Democratic members, Paul’s dissent would block the confirmation vote from continuing on to the Senate floor. When later asked about Senator Bob Corker, whose name has also been floated, Paul admitted that the chairman of the Foreign Relations committee would be far more reasonable and realistic. Prime will continue to closely monitor the many moving parts surrounding these major State Department appointments.

Owen Taylor

Owen Taylor is a Client Staff Assistant with Prime Policy Group and a member of the firm’s research team. He assists a number of lobbyists working in various practice areas by performing in-depth research and monitoring of legislative issues relevant to client interests.