Source: Fox News
Summary
The Senate has confirmed Jay Clayton as the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI), replacing acting DNI Bill Pulte. Despite initial resistance from Democrats, who demanded an experienced leader, Clayton was confirmed on a party-line vote. The confirmation was seen as a means to an end for the ongoing standoff over Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a tool used to thwart terror plots. However, the confirmation has not broken through the partisan logjam, and the program remains expired. Democrats have refused to pass a bipartisan FISA bill until a new DNI was confirmed, and now that Clayton is confirmed, Republicans are calling on them to put up the votes to give the intelligence community the tools it needs to keep the country safe.
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The process has entered a familiar phase.
Senate Democrats demanded a new leader, but voted against the nominee. Republicans confirmed Jay Clayton as DNI anyway. The confirmation was supposed to break the logjam on Section 702, but it hasn’t. Democrats still refuse to pass a bipartisan FISA bill. Republicans are calling on them to act. The program remains expired, but communication providers are still cooperating. The Senate has a few months to tackle the issue before the government’s funding expires.
As expected, the matter has reached another stage of partisan stalemate.
The confirmation hearing was contentious, with only Republicans voting to send Clayton to the Senate floor. Sen. Adam Schiff called Clayton “inexperienced and unqualified.” Sen. Mark Warner said Democrats have refused to pass a bipartisan FISA bill until a new DNI was confirmed.
The Senate’s calendar is running out, with the upper chamber slated to leave Washington after the first week of August.
It’s business as usual in the Senate.
Author: Evan Null
