US Senate Set to Vote on Intelligence Director Pick
The US Senate is expected to vote Tuesday on Jay Clayton. He is President Trump's pick for director of national intelligence.
On Monday the Senate advanced his nomination in a party-line vote. The vote was 51 to 43.
Clayton's confirmation would end Bill Pulte's time as acting director. Pulte has served as interim director since Tulsi Gabbard resigned in May.
Clayton is a former SEC chairman. He currently serves as US attorney for the Southern District of New York.
His confirmation hearing was difficult. He repeatedly declined to say Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
Democrats criticized him for this including Senator Mark Warner and Senator Chuck Schumer. Pulte has said he fired nearly a third of officials in his office.
But others question whether Pulte's numbers are accurate. Clayton's confirmation could also restart a lapsed surveillance program called Section 702 FISA reports say.
Key Terms 4
- Director of national intelligence Top US official who oversees all spy agencies and intelligence work
- SEC US agency that regulates stock markets and protects investors
- Section 702 FISA US law allowing surveillance of foreign suspects for national security
- Procedural vote A Senate vote to move a nomination forward before final approval