CIA Director Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoOvernight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Overnight Defense: House Democrats unveil stopgap spending measure to GOP opposition | Bill includes .6B for new subs | Trump issues Iran sanctions after world shrugs at US action at UN Navalny calls on Russia to return clothes he was wearing when he fell ill MORE is officially short of the votes needed to clear the Senate Foreign Relations Committee next week.

Sen. Chris Coons Christopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsMurkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE (D-Del.) said Friday that “after careful consideration” he will oppose Pompeo’s nomination to lead the State Department.

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“I remain concerned that Director Pompeo will not challenge the President in critical moments,” he said in a statement.

“On vital decisions facing our country, Director Pompeo seems less concerned with rule of law and partnership with our allies and more inclined to emphasize unilateral action and the use of force,” he added.

With GOP Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (Ky.) opposed to the nomination, Trump’s pick needed to pick up at least one Democrat to be able to win over a majority of the Foreign Relations Committee.

Coons was the only Democrat left on the panel who hadn’t announced his opposition. He warned as recently as Thursday that he was leaning against supporting Pompeo, who he had previously opposed to be CIA director.The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to vote on Pompeo’s nomination Monday evening.

Pompeo could still win confirmation on the Senate floor, as Sen. Heidi Heitkamp Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampCentrists, progressives rally around Harris pick for VP 70 former senators propose bipartisan caucus for incumbents Susan Collins set to play pivotal role in impeachment drama MORE (D-N.D.) has announced her support and other centrist Democrats may also back him.

But with Paul and other panel Democrats opposed to him, he will be unable to be reported out of the Foreign Relations panel with a favorable report unless something changes.

Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerHas Congress captured Russia policy? Tennessee primary battle turns nasty for Republicans Cheney clashes with Trump MORE (R-Tenn.) could try to move Pompeo’s nomination to the floor with an unfavorable recommendation.

Democrats on the committee have yet to tip their hand about if they will allow Pompeo’s nomination to move to the floor with an unfavorable recommendation or if they will try to kill his prospects in the committee.

If they don’t help move him to the floor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellPelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Senate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes MORE (R-Ky.) could try to discharge Pompeo’s nomination from committee, which could ultimately require 60 votes.

Liberal senators are urging their party to try to block Pompeo’s nomination by filibustering the discharge petition.

But Senate Democratic leadership could be wary of using the hardball tactics with more controversial nomination fights looming, including deputy CIA director Gina Haspel’s nomination to lead the spy agency.

It would also force red and purple state Democrats up for reelection in states Trump won in 2016 to decide if they will block a nominee that otherwise appears to have the votes to be confirmed by the Senate.

Heitkamp was one of 15 Democrats, including Independent Sen. Angus King Angus KingGovernment watchdog recommends creation of White House cyber director position Democrats step up hardball tactics as Supreme Court fight heats up Shakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' MORE (I-Maine), who supported Pompeo’s nomination last year to be CIA director. Seven remain on the fence: Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Minority Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.), Mark Warner (Va.) and King.

GOP Sen. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden Maybe they just don't like cowboys: The president is successful, some just don't like his style MORE (Ariz.) has also said that he’s undecided on Pompeo’s nomination as he tries to get more information. Flake previously supported Pompeo to be CIA director.