WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Monday to confirm Republican Rep. Mike Pompeo of Kansas as CIA director despite critics’ concerns that he has offered conflicting statements about whether he would expand government surveillance of Americans and bring back harsh interrogation techniques banned by President Obama.
Senators voted 66-32 to approve Pompeo, who is giving up his congressional seat to lead the agency.
His confirmation completes President Trump's national security team. Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly were confirmed Friday.
"Mike Pompeo is somebody who can contribute in a significant way to the security of the American people, the security of this country," said Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
But Pompeo's critics said he has given mixed signals on both torture and government surveillance.
"Rep. Pompeo showed he’s perfectly comfortable saying one thing on Monday, and the opposite on Tuesday," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a member of the Intelligence Committee and a leading privacy advocate. "But his record reveals extreme positions, including enthusiasm for sweeping new surveillance programs targeting Americans and an openness to sending our country backward with regard to torture."
Source:-usatoday
Senators voted 66-32 to approve Pompeo, who is giving up his congressional seat to lead the agency.
His confirmation completes President Trump's national security team. Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly were confirmed Friday.
"Mike Pompeo is somebody who can contribute in a significant way to the security of the American people, the security of this country," said Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
But Pompeo's critics said he has given mixed signals on both torture and government surveillance.
"Rep. Pompeo showed he’s perfectly comfortable saying one thing on Monday, and the opposite on Tuesday," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a member of the Intelligence Committee and a leading privacy advocate. "But his record reveals extreme positions, including enthusiasm for sweeping new surveillance programs targeting Americans and an openness to sending our country backward with regard to torture."
Source:-usatoday
No comments:
Post a Comment