WASHINGTON: The US Senate on Thursday approved President Obama's counterterrorism advisor John O. Brennan as head of the Central Intelligence Agency by a vote of 63 to 34.
Brennan is a 25-year CIA veteran and has been a main architectt of the Obama administration's drone strategy in pursuit of al Qaeda linked militants operating on foreign soils.
In the confirmation process leading to the vote, the US lawmakers raised questions regarding the use of drones against American citizens considered as threat.
The confirmation vote was delayed by a filibuster by Republican Senator Rand Paul, who spent nearly 13 hours on the floor, asking the Administration to make clear its domestic drone policy.
The senator from Kentucky received a letter from Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. who assured the lawmaker that the president does not have the authority to use a drone to kill an American not engaged in combat on American soil.
Reacting to Senate endorsement of his pick, President Obama said with the bipartisan confirmation of John Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, "the Senate has recognized in John the qualities I value so much his determination to keep America safe, his commitment to working with Congress, his ability to build relationships with foreign partners, and his fidelity to the values that define us as a nation.
With John's 25 years of experience at the Agency, our extraordinary men and women of the CIA will be led by one of their own. I am especially appreciative to Michael Morell for being such an outstanding Acting Director and for agreeing to continue his service as Deputy Director", Obama added.
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