Senate Panel Approves Jay Clayton’s DNI Nomination
Summary
The Senate Intelligence Committee approved Jay Clayton’s DNI nomination in a 9-8 vote. His confirmation could help revive bipartisan efforts to renew FISA Section 702, which collects foreign intelligence but also intercepts Americans’ data.
Key points
- The Senate Intelligence Committee approved Jay Clayton’s nomination for director of national intelligence in a 9-8 party-line vote.
- The nomination now goes to the full Senate for a confirmation decision.
- Democrats raised concerns that Clayton could politicize the intelligence role after he declined to say that Joe Biden won the 2020 election, referring instead to Biden’s certification.
- Clayton’s hearing addressed election-interference claims and former DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s visit to a Georgia election office during an FBI search.
- His confirmation could help revive bipartisan efforts to renew FISA Section 702, which permits collection of certain foreign intelligence, including information about overseas hackers and spies.
- Section 702 collection also intercepts Americans’ data, and the statute expired last month.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Senate Intelligence Committee approval of Jay Clayton’s nomination for director of national intelligence
- Impact
- The 9-8 vote sends Clayton’s nomination to the full Senate. His confirmation could help revive bipartisan efforts to renew Section 702 of FISA, which permits collection of certain foreign intelligence communications and also intercepts Americans’ data.
People
Bill PulteActing intelligence director whose continued presence in office was cited by Democrats as a reason they would not support legislation renewing Section 702.Donald TrumpPresident who nominated Clayton; the article also reports that Trump accused foreign countries, particularly China, of attempting to interfere in American elections.Jay ClaytonNominee for director of national intelligence; the Senate Intelligence Committee approved his nomination, which now goes to the full Senate.Tom CottonChairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, which voted to back Clayton’s nomination.Tulsi GabbardFormer director of national intelligence whose visit to a Georgia election office during an FBI search was raised at Clayton’s confirmation hearing.