[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 16, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Nomination of Gina Haspel

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, yesterday, the Senate confirmed two 
more superbly qualified circuit court nominees. Joel Carson and John 
Nalbandian are the 20th and the 21st circuit judges we have confirmed 
this Congress.
  This morning our colleagues on the Intelligence Committee finished 
their consideration of Gina Haspel to be CIA Director and reported her 
nomination favorably with bipartisan support. Ms. Haspel's testimony 
and record have showcased the poise, talent, and experience that make 
her an excellent selection.
  Senators heard about her 30-plus years of CIA experience, spanning 
sensitive operations from the Cold War to the Global War on Terror. 
That background makes Ms. Haspel an ideal pick at this particular 
moment, when Secretary Mattis has explained that counterterrorism and a 
renewed great-power competition are two of the key challenges facing 
our Nation.
  So it is no wonder that James Clapper, President Obama's Director of 
National Intelligence, said: ``I think the world of Gina; she is 
capable, smart, very experienced, well-respected by the Agency rank and 
file, and a great person.''
  Just yesterday, our current DNI, Dan Coats, wrote in USA Today that 
``she is a person of high integrity with valuable frontline and 
executive experience . . . who is willing to speak truth to power when 
required on behalf of our nation.''
  Gina Haspel is the right woman at the right time. Her nomination has 
support from national security leaders and Senators in both parties. 
There is no reason why her confirmation should be delayed, and I look 
forward to advancing it expeditiously following the committee's action.