Panel approves Ratcliffe for spy chief, sends to full Senate
WASHINGTON — 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.
“I’m happy we were able to get Ratcliffe out of the committee and hopefully get floor action quickly,” Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the panel’s new acting chairman, told reporters. “It’s 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 nation’s intelligence agencies without partisan influence.
Ratcliffe would replace Dan Coats, a former GOP senator who was popular in Congress but who clashed with Trump in his two years in the job. Richard Grenell, who is close to Trump, is now the acting director.
Ratcliffe was first picked for the post last summer, shortly after Coats’ resignation, but then withdrew after some Senate Republicans questioned his experience. GOP senators warmed to Ratcliffe after Trump unexpectedly nominated him again in February.