The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved President Barack Obama's nomination of Sen. John Kerry to be the next secretary of state.

With no opposition to the choice, the panel approved Kerry by voice vote Tuesday. The full Senate is expected to vote Tuesday afternoon.

Obama chose the five-term Massachusetts Democrat and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is stepping down after four years.

Kerry has served on the Foreign Relations panel for 28 years and led the committee for the past four.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on President Barack Obama's nomination of Sen. John Kerry to be the next secretary of state.

If approved, the nomination would move to the full Senate, which is expected to act swiftly on the choice.

Obama chose the five-term Massachusetts senator and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is stepping down after four years.

Kerry has served on the Foreign Relations panel for 28 years and led the committee for the last four. He is the son of a diplomat and a decorated Vietnam veteran.

Obama is overhauling his national security team. The president has nominated Chuck Hagel for defense secretary and John Brennan to serve as CIA director.