Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced Monday that she’s going to assist Tulsi Gabbard to turn out to be director of nationwide intelligence (DNI), giving her a key increase in her affirmation push.
Collins was thought of an important swing vote on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is about to fulfill Tuesday afternoon to probably advance Gabbard towards a ground vote. Final month, Collins had expressed reservations about Gabbard.
However in an announcement on Monday, she pointed to Gabbard’s assist for decreasing the scale and scale of the DNI place and mentioned the previous Democratic congresswoman had assuaged her considerations about her stance on Edward Snowden.
“After extensive consideration of her nomination, I will support Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence,” Collins mentioned. “The Office of the Director of National Intelligence … has become far larger than it was designed to be, and Ms. Gabbard shares my vision of returning the agency to its intended size.”
“In response to my questions during our discussion in my office and at the open hearing, as well as through her explanation at the closed hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Ms. Gabbard addressed my concerns regarding her views on Edward Snowden,” Collins mentioned. “I look forward to working with Ms. Gabbard to strengthen our national security.”
With Collins within the “aye” column, all consideration shifts to Sen. Todd Younger (R-Ind.), who has been thought of the opposite GOP swing vote on the panel.
Younger pressed Gabbard throughout her affirmation listening to about whether or not she thought Snowden, the previous Nationwide Safety Company contractor-turned-leaker, is a traitor — and was visibly annoyed with Gabbard’s solutions.
President Trump ally Elon Musk attacked Younger in a submit on social platform X over weekend as a “deep state puppet.” He deleted the submit following a dialog with the Indiana Republican and spoke glowingly about him.
