Senate confirms John Ratcliffe as next director of National Intelligence

The Senate on Thursday voted 49-to-44 to confirm Texas GOP Rep. Rep. John Ratcliffe as the next director of the Office of the Director on National Intelligence.

This is the second time Ratcliffe has been nominated to the position, initially withdrawing his nomination last year in the face questions for both parties about whether he has the skills and experience to run the entire U.S. intelligence community.

Ratcliffe will become the leader of 17 U.S. intelligence agencies, assuming the role from current acting Director Richard Grenell. The last director, Dan Coats, resigned on July 28, 2019.