Senate confirms Gabbard to serve as nation’s top intelligence chief

SUMMARY

The Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence in a 52-48 vote, with all but one Republican supporting her nomination. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and Army officer with over two decades of military service, will now oversee the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies. While some Republicans initially raised concerns about her past opposition to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and her views on NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, Gabbard assured lawmakers that she now supports FISA’s surveillance authority as a vital national security tool. Her confirmation gained momentum after strong backing from Vice President J.D. Vance and Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) hailed Gabbard as a “patriot, motivated by service” who has served her country and community since age 21 when she was elected to the Hawaii state Legislature.