The Senate Intelligence Committee voted 9-8 Tuesday to advance Jay Clayton’s nomination to serve as Director of National Intelligence, clearing the path for a full Senate confirmation vote.
Clayton, currently serving as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, previously led the Securities and Exchange Commission under President Trump’s first term. The committee’s action moves him toward taking permanent control of an office held on an acting basis by Bill Pulte, a figure who has drawn criticism from Democrats and some members of the intelligence community.
Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR) praised the nomination following the closed-door vote.
“Jay Clayton is a highly qualified nominee with a deep experience combatting a wide range of national security threats,” Cotton said. “I’m pleased that the Senate Intelligence Committee voted to advance his nomination to be Director of National Intelligence. Once confirmed, I look forward to working with Mr. Clayton to keep Americans safe and continue reforming the Office of Director of National Intelligence.”
The vote fell strictly along party lines, with Republicans holding the nine-vote majority. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence coordinates the work of 18 federal intelligence agencies and serves as the principal intelligence adviser to the president.
The nomination now moves to the full Senate, where Republicans hold a majority and confirmation is expected.
Clayton previously stirred controversy when he told senators he acknowledged Biden was certified as president but stopped short of flatly saying he won. Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee called that answer disqualifying.
