Senate Panel Approves Kerry For Secretary Of State

U.S. Senator John Kerry

U.S. Senator John Kerry has won the support of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state during President Barack Obama's second term.

The full Senate is expected to confirm Kerry later on January 29.

Kerry, a five-term senator and 2004 presidential candidate, has broad support from fellow Democrats as well as Republicans in the Senate.

Kerry has served on the Foreign Relations panel for 28 years and led the committee for the last four.

He is a decorated Vietnam veteran.

President Obama has also nominated former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel, a Republican, to replace Leon Panetta as defense secretary, and adviser for homeland security and counterterrorism John Brennan to serve as CIA director.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP