Gina Haspel, President Trump’s nominee to be the next CIA director, on Tuesday picked up the support of two more Senate Democrats, which puts her on track to be confirmed by the Senate later this month.
Democrats were slow to come around to Haspel, as many worried about her role overseeing enhanced interrogation techniques used on terror suspects in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
But on Tuesday Haspel sent a letter to Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, saying that the CIA should not have used enhanced interrogation techniques, which included waterboarding. Soon after the letter was sent, Warner said he would support the nomination.
“I’m going to support Gina Haspel’s nomination to be Director of the CIA,” he said in a statement. “I also respect my colleagues who have made a different decision.” Warner said the Senate Intelligence Committee “will continue to conduct thorough and vigorous oversight” of the CIA and other intelligence agencies.
Warner joined Sens. Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia in a small group of three Democrats who support Haspel. Moments later, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota said she would also vote for her.
Warner’s support for Haspel also makes it almost certain the intelligence committee will be able to approve her when it meets Wednesday. And support from four Democrats makes her confirmation on the Senate floor all but certain.
Only two Republicans oppose Haspel: Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and John McCain, R-Ariz., who is not expected to vote because of his ongoing battle with cancer.
