Senate moves toward confirming Kansas governor's nomination

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The U.S. Senate has taken a key step toward confirming Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback's nomination for an ambassador's post.

After senators voted 49-49 Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence broke the tie in Brownback's favor. The vote ended debate on Brownback's nomination by President Donald Trump to be U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

The action starts a 30-hour clock on holding a final vote, though it could come sooner.

Trump first nominated Brownback for the ambassador's post in July but Democrats and LGBT groups opposed his appointment.

In 2015,...