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Pence forced to break tie over nomination of Brownback for religious freedom post

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January 24, 2018 at 6:09 p.m. EST
Vice President Pence waves while arriving for a swearing-in ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 3. (Aaron P. Bernstein/Bloomberg)

The Senate narrowly confirmed Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) to a diplomatic post Wednesday, with Senate GOP leaders needing the help of Vice President Pence to break a deadlock over his controversial nomination.

Brownback was confirmed to be ambassador at large for international religious freedom on a 50-to-49 vote, with all Democrats opposed and two Republicans absent. Pence cast the tiebreaking vote in his role as president of the Senate.