Senate Clears Procedural Hurdle for Joshua Rudd to Lead Cyber Command and NSA
Summary
The Senate voted 68-28 to limit debate on Joshua Rudd’s nomination to lead Cyber Command and the NSA, setting up a final vote. Sen. Ron Wyden opposes the nomination, citing Rudd’s lack of signals-intelligence experience.
Key points
- The Senate voted 68-28 to invoke cloture on Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s nomination, advancing it to a final confirmation vote.
- Rudd is nominated to lead both U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency.
- Sen. Ron Wyden opposes the nomination, arguing Rudd lacks experience in U.S. signals activities amid the conflict with Iran.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved to overcome Wyden’s procedural hold; the Armed Services and Intelligence committees had supported Rudd.
- If confirmed, Rudd would be the first Senate-approved leader of both organizations since Gen. Timothy Haugh was dismissed; Lt. Gen. William Hartman currently leads them.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Senate confirmation process for the nominee to lead U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency
- Impact
- The Senate voted 68-28 to limit debate on Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd, advancing his nomination to a final confirmation vote. Sen. Ron Wyden objected that Rudd lacks signals-intelligence experience, citing the ongoing conflict with Iran. If confirmed, Rudd would lead both organizations; the article reports that Lt. Gen. William Hartman is currently serving in the role.
People
Donald TrumpPresident who selected Rudd for the joint leadership role.John ThuneSenate Majority Leader who took steps to overcome Wyden’s procedural hold on the nomination.Joshua RuddArmy lieutenant general nominated to lead U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency; the Senate advanced his nomination to a final vote.Roger WickerArmed Services Committee chair who cited bipartisan support for Rudd’s nomination.Ron WydenSenator who opposed Rudd’s nomination, arguing that he lacks experience in U.S. signals activities.Timothy HaughFormer head of U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency; the article reports that Trump fired him nearly a year earlier.William HartmanArmy lieutenant general reported to be leading U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency after Haugh’s dismissal.