Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, today released the following statement on President Obama’s nomination of John Brennan to be director of the CIA: 

“John Brennan has a long and distinguished career in intelligence and national security and is well-versed in all of the major security issues confronting the nation—including terrorism and cyber threats. 

“He has served the past four years as the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism and Deputy National Security Advisor.  In his 25-year career at the CIA, Mr. Brennan was chief of staff, deputy executive director, presidential daily briefer and held a number of operational posts overseas—including as chief of station in Riyadh.  He was the first leader of the National Counterterrorism Center after standing up its predecessor organization the Terrorist Threat Integration Center.

“Clearly, Mr. Brennan has the qualifications and expertise to be the next CIA Director.  He has longstanding knowledge of the operations of this critical agency and also the strength to see that it follows the law.  I believe he will be a strong and positive director.

“The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which has jurisdiction over this nomination, will submit written questions to Mr. Brennan in the coming days, and I will consult with Vice Chairman Chambliss and members of the committee to set a date for a confirmation hearing. 

“I will be discussing with Mr. Brennan the Intelligence Committee’s recently completed report on CIA detention and interrogation operations from 2001 to 2009 and will ask how he would respond to the report’s findings and conclusions if confirmed.

“I would also like to note my appreciation for the service of Acting Director Michael Morell.  I very much hope he will continue as a strong and positive leader of the intelligence community.

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