Brennan Blessed

The Senate Intelligence Committee today approved John Brennan to be CIA director by a 12-3 vote, sending his nomination to the full Senate.

"The vote came one day after Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) reached an agreement with the White House to provide legal opinions on the targeted killings of Americans," according to a panel statement.

"I hope the Senate acts quickly to confirm" Brennan, committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said in the statement, adding:

He draws on a deep well of experience -- 25 years as a CIA analyst, chief of station, manager, head of counterterrorism efforts and White House homeland security advisor. John was straightforward with the committee, answering all of our questions, and I believe he will be a candid partner at CIA and a strong leader of that critically important agency. No one is better prepared to be CIA director than Mr. Brennan. The CIA needs a confirmed director, and Majority Leader Reid is committed to moving quickly to schedule a vote.

Two issues unrelated to John Brennan delayed this vote -- additional details on the Benghazi attack and access to OLC opinions on targeted killings of American. I believe both of those issues have been addressed. The information I requested with Vice Chairman Chambliss on Benghazi has been or is being delivered, and just last night I reached an agreement with the White House to review all OLC opinions on targeted killings of Americans. It was unfortunate these issues delayed the process, but I am confident that they have been resolved.