Senate approves Blair as intel director

[unhappycamper]

Senate approves Blair as intel director
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jan 28, 2009 21:11:56 EST

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday confirmed retired Adm. Dennis Blair as the new national intelligence director.

Blair will be President Obama’s top intelligence adviser, running a budget of nearly $50 billion across 16 intelligence agencies.

The Senate confirmed Blair by voice vote

Dianne Feinstein, chairman of the Intelligence Committee, praised Blair’s commitment to American ideals while conducting intelligence operations. Blair strongly condemned torture and warrantless wiretapping in his Jan. 22 confirmation hearing.

Blair will oversee the end of the CIA’s harsh interrogation program, authorized by former President George W. Bush shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Obama is limiting the CIA, for now, to the U.S. military’s interrogation methods.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_intel_nomination_012809w/%2e