Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., announced Wednesday he will not vote in favor of Gina Haspel’s confirmation to head the CIA.
Flake is the third GOP “no” vote, but Haspel is nonetheless expected to be confirmed thanks to backing from four Democrats.
Flake, like other Haspel opponents, expressed concern about her role overseeing enhanced interrogation techniques on terror suspects in the years following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Flake thanked Haspel for her three decades of service with the CIA but added, “We need to turn the page on the unfortunate chapter in the agency’s history having to do with torture.”
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said he’ll vote against Haspel over her role overseeing enhanced interrogation.
Flake’s Arizona colleague, Sen. John McCain, also a Republican and former prisoner of war who was tortured, said he’s opposed to Haspel, but McCain will not be in the Capitol for the confirmation vote, which is expected as soon as this month. McCain is still in his home state of Arizona recovering from treatment related to his bran cancer.
