Biden's First Cabinet Nominee Confirmed as Haines Makes History as First Female Director of National Intelligence

Strategic Insights -

President Joe Biden's first cabinet nominee, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, making history as the first woman to lead the US intelligence community. The confirmation follows a recent Senate precedent of approving cabinet nominees on the first day of a new president's term, although Biden's pace of approvals is slower than his predecessors. Haines' confirmation was in doubt after Republican Sen. Tom Cotton objected to her nomination over an answer about the CIA's interrogation program during the George W. Bush administration, but she clarified her response in a written follow-up question, allowing the vote to proceed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Avril Haines becomes the first woman to serve as Director of National Intelligence, taking over an intelligence community that was repeatedly disparaged and sidelined by Trump.
  • Haines' confirmation was in doubt after Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) objected to her nomination over her response to a question about the CIA's interrogation program during the George W. Bush administration.
  • Cotton lifted his hold on Haines' nomination after she clarified her response in a written follow-up question, clearing the way for her confirmation.
  • The Senate confirmed Haines 84 to 10, continuing a recent Senate precedent of approving cabinet nominees on the first day of a new president's term.
  • Haines will become the first woman to serve as Director of National Intelligence, filling a role that was previously held by men.
  • Haines pledged to take politics out of the intelligence community, following four years of Trump constantly clashing with the intelligence community and accusing the "deep state" of undermining his presidency.
  • Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) has already said he would block quick confirmation of Biden's Homeland Security nominee, Alejandro Mayorkas, over immigration policy.
  • Without an agreement on the power sharing resolution, committee consideration for Biden's nominees will be stalled until the ratios are agreed upon.
  • The power-sharing agreement will specify how many Democratic and Republican senators will sit on various committees, and will formally allow Democrats to assume the chairmanships of key committees.

Statistics:

  • 84: The number of Senators who voted to confirm Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence.
  • 10: The number of Senators who voted against confirming Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence.
  • 2001: The year when the Senate first passed a power-sharing agreement that mirrored the ratios in the current Congress.
  • 50-50: The current split in the Senate, with both parties holding an equal number of seats.

Sources:

  • CNN: "Biden's Cabinet Nominee Avril Haines Confirmed as Director of National Intelligence"
  • CNN: "Cotton lifts hold on Haines' nomination after clarification on CIA interrogation program"
  • CNN: "Senate confirms Biden's first Cabinet nominee, but may struggle to get others confirmed quickly"