The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved the nomination of President Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state, Mike Pompeo.
It comes after Republican senator Rand Paul who had been opposed to the appointment threw his support behind the nominee.
The committee approved Mr Pompeo's nomination on a party-line vote, with all 11 Republicans backing him, nine Democrats opposed and one Democrat, Chris Coons, voting "present" because of Senate procedural rules.
US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said there were enough votes in the full Senate to confirm Mr Pompeo as secretary of state this week.
That would allow Mr Pompeo to attend a NATO summit on Friday.
He became one of Mr Trump's most trusted advisers during his 15 months as CIA director.
Most recently, he has been deeply involved in preparations for Mr Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, including meeting with him three weeks ago.
While Democrats opposed Mr Pompeo because they consider him too hawkish and worry about his past harsh statements about homosexuality and Islam, he has the support of at least three Democrats not on the committee, all but assuring he will be confirmed for State because no Senate Republican has announced opposition.
"I don't believe that Director Pompeo will always be someone who values diplomacy over conflict," said Senator Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee.
Mr Paul's late switch meant the nominee could avoid the embarrassment of being the first person nominated for secretary of state known to fail to secure the panel's endorsement.
That would have cast a cloud over Mr Trump's push to overhaul his national security team, after firing his first secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, last month.
The White House and Republican Party had thrown their weight behind the nomination, with a series of attacks on Democrats for opposing Mr Trump's pick.
"I have changed my mind. I decided to go ahead and vote for Director Pompeo," Mr Paul said before the committee vote after announcing on Twitter he had abruptly ended weeks of opposition.
