Senator Collins’ Statement on Intelligence Committee’s Vote on Ms. Haspel’s Nomination to be CIA Director

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after the Committee’s bipartisan vote of 10-5 to favorably report the nomination of Gina Haspel to be CIA Director.  Ms. Haspel’s nomination will now be considered by the full Senate.

“I am pleased that a bipartisan majority of my colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee voted in support of the nomination of Gina Haspel to be the next Director of the CIA.  It speaks very well of Ms. Haspel’s qualifications that she was able to secure the support of both the Republican Chairman and the Democratic Vice Chairman of our Committee.

“In a recent letter to Vice Chairman Warner, Ms. Haspel expressed her belief that the CIA never should have undertaken the enhanced interrogation program, and she further underscored her opposition to any attempt to restart it.  As a cosponsor of the McCain-Feinstein amendment that banned enhanced interrogation techniques such as waterboarding, I appreciated Ms. Haspel’s commitment that she ‘would not fail to reject a proposal’ that is ‘contrary to [her] moral and ethical values’ or that is inconsistent with ‘CIA’s mission, expertise, and the law.’

“I look forward to supporting Ms. Haspel’s nomination when it comes before the full Senate.”

Senator Collins previously announced her support for Ms. Haspel’s nomination last week.