The U.S. Senate has confirmed Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts as the next secretary of state.
The chamber voted on Kerry's nomination Tuesday, hours after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the nomination in a voice vote.
U.S. President Barack Obama selected the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month to succeed Hillary Clinton as the top U.S. diplomat.
In his confirmation hearing last week, Kerry said the United States must put its fiscal house in order to remain a global leader. He said that, more than ever, foreign policy is economic policy.
Kerry, a Democrat, faced his committee colleagues for more than four hours last week, answering questions on topics including the U.S. economy, Iran and terrorism, Afghanistan, Syria and U.S. relations with Latin America.
He promised strong support for the Obama administration's pursuit of a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear program.
Kerry, a Vietnam veteran, has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his entire 28 years in the Senate and chaired its proceedings for the past four.
Running as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate in 2004, he lost to then-incumbent George W. Bush.
The chamber voted on Kerry's nomination Tuesday, hours after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the nomination in a voice vote.
U.S. President Barack Obama selected the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month to succeed Hillary Clinton as the top U.S. diplomat.
In his confirmation hearing last week, Kerry said the United States must put its fiscal house in order to remain a global leader. He said that, more than ever, foreign policy is economic policy.
Kerry, a Democrat, faced his committee colleagues for more than four hours last week, answering questions on topics including the U.S. economy, Iran and terrorism, Afghanistan, Syria and U.S. relations with Latin America.
He promised strong support for the Obama administration's pursuit of a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear program.
Kerry, a Vietnam veteran, has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his entire 28 years in the Senate and chaired its proceedings for the past four.
Running as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate in 2004, he lost to then-incumbent George W. Bush.