John Kerry to lead State Department, to decide Keystone XL

Wednesday, January 30, 2013  

Sen. John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) easily won confirmation on Tuesday to be the next Secretary of the State Department.

The Senate voted 94-3 in favor of the nomination. Kerry is expected to succeed outgoing Secretary Hillary Clinton on Friday.

One of Kerry's biggest decisions will be the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline. Tribes along the route oppose the project due to concerns about water, environment and their treaty lands.

Kerry has a favorable record on Indian issues. He supported federal recognition for tribes in Massachusetts and has co-sponsored a number of Indian bills, including the Carcieri fix, which would benefit tribes in his state and others across the country.

During the 2004 presidential campaign, Kerry addressed the National Congress of American Indians by video during one convention and sent his wife to another when he couldn't attend.

Get the Story:
Kerry gets overwhelming Senate backing to lead State Department (The Washington Post 1/30)
Kerry Sails Through the Senate as Secretary of State (The New York Times 1/30)
Senate confirms Sen. John Kerry as secretary of state to succeed Clinton (AP 1/29)