Biden decides on the choice of Secretary of State

Joe bidenJoe BidenRomney on Trump’s election tactics: President Biden’s’ hard to imagine worse, more undemocratic action ‘promises federal government will pay for National Guard coronavirus work:’ It should be paid for ” House committee chairs demand briefing from GSA chief on presidential transition MORE decided on his choice for secretary of state as the president-elect works to put together a team that can be confirmed by a Senate eventually controlled by the GOP.

A source close to the process confirmed to The Hill that Biden has made up his mind as to who he wants to become the country’s top diplomat and that an announcement is expected within the next week.

It was not immediately clear who Biden’s candidate would be, but a former Obama administration official confirmed to The Hill that Tony Blinken, a veteran diplomat and longtime Biden ally, was considered one of the favorites of the post.

Blinken was viewed across Washington as someone who would be highly qualified for this role, given his former No. 2 position in the State Department as well as his stints on Capitol Hill and in the Obama White House. as deputy national security adviser.

A transition spokesperson declined to confirm that Biden picked a State Department candidate. Axios was the first to report that he had made a decision.

Among the other people who came to lead the State Department under Biden are the Sens. Chris CoonsChris Andrew Coons Biparty pair of senators call on Egypt to deal with jailed human rights defender case Ethics experts ask Senate to investigate Graham’s investigation into Hillicon Valley mail-in vote : Trump’s National Security Advisor Says Huawei Threat “ No. 1 concern ‘moving forward | Silicon Valley wants Biden to overturn Trump visa rules | Democratic Senators Urge Facebook to Take Action Against Anti-Muslim Bigotry READ MORE (D-Del.) And Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyOvernight Defense: Official negotiations progress on Defense Bill with Confederate base name language | Senators seek to block arms sales to UAE | Trump administration imposes sanctions on Iran for human rights violations Senators move to block B UAE’s arms sale of Trump Democratic senators urge Facebook to take action against anti-sectarianism Muslim LEARN MORE (D-Conn.), Former US Ambassador to Russia William Burns and former National Security Advisor and United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice.

Biden has previously said he chose who he would appoint to serve as Secretary of the Treasury, but he also declined to say who he would call on to fill that role. The president-elect said this week that this person “would be accepted by all elements of the Democratic Party, from progressive coalitions to moderate coalitions.”

The president-elect could face a fight with the Senate after his inauguration if Democrats don’t win two rounds of the Georgia Senate in January, and with him the Senate majority, given that he is essentially expected to get the approval of Republicans led by Senate majority. Chief Mitch mcconnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Romney on Trump’s election tactics: President’s ‘hard to imagine worse, more undemocratic’ action We need a new COVID-19 stimulus package now McConnell, Pelosi seeks deal financing as the closing deadline looms MORE (Ky.) On his Cabinet choices. However, GOP senators have indicated that they will seek to confirm candidates they do not consider to be outside the mainstream.

Beyond his cabinet, Biden began equipping his White House with allies and members of the Obama administration, unveiling a new hiring list on Friday, with his transition saying it would focus on hiring diverse people who look like “America”.

Amie Parnes and Brett Samuels contributed to this report.