The Senate confirmed James Comey to head up the FBI with an 93-1 vote Monday.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) – the only senator who voted nay – lifted his hold on the nominee to succeed FBI Director Robert Mueller late Monday afternoon, minutes before the vote, after receiving more information from the agency on the domestic drone program. Paul had maintained that he would delay the nomination until his questions were answered.
“The FBI today responded to my questions on domestic use of surveillance drones by saying that they don’t necessarily need a warrant to deploy this technology,” Paul said in a statement. “I disagree with this interpretation. However, given the fact that they did respond to my concerns over drone use on U.S. soil, I have decided to release my hold on the pending FBI director nominee.”
The FBI sent a letter with additional information Paul after he deemed a response last week insufficient. The Senate skipped a cloture vote and went straight to roll call for Comey’s confirmation.
Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, longtime critics of surveillance on Americans, voted present.
Comey served as the No. 2 at the Justice Department under President George W. Bush and spent 15 years as a federal prosecutor.
Prior to the Monday vote, no senator had voted against a nominee for FBI director since the death of J. Edgar Hoover in 1972, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Senate confirms Comey for FBI
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