Panel approves Ratcliffe for spy chief, sends to full Senate
Source: Associated Press
Panel approves Ratcliffe for spy chief, sends to full Senate
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
May 19, 2020
WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate intelligence committee on Tuesday approved the nomination of Texas GOP Rep. John Ratcliffe to be director of national intelligence, sending the nomination to the Senate floor for his likely confirmation.
Im happy we were able to get Ratcliffe out of the committee and hopefully get floor action quickly, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the panels new acting chairman, told reporters. Its an important position and it needs to be filled as soon as possible.
Rubio was tapped Monday to temporarily replace North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, who stepped aside as the FBI investigates his stock trades.
Republicans have praised Ratcliffe, an ardent defender of President Donald Trump, while Democrats have been skeptical that he would serve with the independence they say is crucial for the job. Ratcliffe sought to shed his reputation as a Trump loyalist at his confirmation hearing earlier this month, insisting he would lead the nations intelligence agencies without partisan influence.
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