President Joe Biden's pick to lead the CIA, William Burns, largely skated through his confirmation hearing Wednesday, receiving bipartisan praise from lawmakers on the Senate Intelligence Committee who made clear they intend to support his candidacy as the first lifelong diplomat to serve as director of the nation's preeminent spy agency.
Biden s pick for CIA chief highlights threat from China msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Burns said his top priority as spy chief would be a rising China. He received strong bipartisan support in testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee and was widely expected to be confirmed.
WASHINGTON – William Burns appeared to glide through his confirmation hearing to become CIA director on Wednesday, winning marquee endorsements and frothy support from senators in both parties. I can t think of anybody that has the breadth of experience that you ve had in the world, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told Burns at one point.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who has been a vocal critic of some CIA tactics, joked that the hearing risked becoming a full-fledged bouquet throwing contest as he heaped praise on Burns human rights record.
The hearing opened with auspicious endorsements from two bold-named statesmen. The confirmation should be a bipartisan no-brainer, former Secretary of State James Baker told the Senate Intelligence Committee. Baker said Burns helped lead the country through the end of the Cold War, the reunification of Germany and combating Iraqi aggression.
Biden s CIA director pick skates through confirmation hearing and receives bipartisan praise kvia.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kvia.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.