Burr Seeks Swift Senate Intelligence Committee Vote on DNI Confirmation
The Senate Intelligence Committee will vote “as soon as possible” to advance the nomination of Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, to be national intelligence director, Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., said during Tuesday’s hearing. Fielding questions from supportive Republicans and skeptical Democrats, Ratcliffe vowed to run an apolitical office free of outside political influence, while highlighting threats from China in the race for 5G.
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President Donald Trump initially abandoned the nomination in August after Democrats questioned whether Ratcliffe could run the office without political bias (see 1908020040). Citing remarks from Trump claiming he could conduct Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act-related searches without congressional approval (see 2003300055), Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked if Ratcliffe believes the president can spy on Americans outside the law.
No one can spy on Americans outside the law, Ratcliffe said. Wyden asked if the nominee would refuse to authorize the intelligence community to conduct warrantless surveillance. Ratcliffe promised to follow the law and act within authorities and be guided by the Constitution. Wyden noted Ratcliffe didn’t outright say no to authorizing warrantless surveillance. His answer was qualified based on circumstances, which is “dangerous,” Wyden said. Ratcliffe said he wanted to be clear that the IC will act in accordance with the law.
Ratcliffe, who is on the House Intelligence, Judiciary and Ethics committees, views China as the biggest “threat actor.” He cited China’s “role” with COVID-19, the race to 5G and cybersecurity issues. The U.S. doesn’t want an authoritarian regime setting standards in the world marketplace, he said.
The IC should be apolitical and present its best estimates without fear or favor to U.S. leaders, said Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., citing reports of the administration’s pressure to limit the information shared with Congress. Intelligence won’t be influenced by Trump; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; or any other political figure, Ratcliffe said. He told Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., he’s exposing himself to scrutiny because he wants to return to an apolitical position.
Ratcliffe told Warner he will move as “expeditiously as possible” to declassify documents on the committee’s fifth volume in its report on the intelligence community’s assessment of Russian interference. Warner asked that he aspire to having the volume released before the August recess, to avoid release during the presidential campaign.
Burr asked how Ratcliffe plans to engage industry on tech innovation. That topic ties into 5G and rising powers like China, Ratcliffe said: The national 5G strategy should include efforts to ensure the safety of global networks.