Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said the upcoming confirmation hearing for Gina Haspel to lead the CIA will make a “mockery” of the upper chamber if senators don’t have declassified information on the nominee’s background.
“Unless the CIA declassifies and makes public specific information about Gina Haspel’s background, proceeding with this hearing will make a mockery of the Senate’s constitutional responsibilities with regard to nominations,” Wyden said in a statement.
Wyden, who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee stressed that the “critical information can be declassified without compromising sources and methods. Haspel’s hearing is scheduled for May 9.
“Agreeing to the CIA’s cover-up and pushing ahead with this nomination represents a true abdication of the Senate’s oversight role,” Wyden said.
Democrats are facing pressure to oppose Haspel, who has held the deputy director post at the CIA since 2017. Liberal groups are pressing senators to block Haspel over her involvement in the George W. Bush administration’s harsh interrogation of detainees, involving techniques widely regarded as torture.
A number of Republicans have also expressed concern over Haspel’s past. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., wants to know whether Haspel had direct involvement in the reported destruction of tapes documenting the cruel treatment of detainees. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., opposes Haspel’s nomination.
