The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Barack Obama's pick to become the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Comey.
Senators Monday overwhelmingly supported Comey with a vote of 93-1. He will replace Robert Mueller, who has led the FBI since shortly before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States.
The vote went forward Monday after Republican Senator Rand Paul ended his delaying tactics against the nomination. Paul had been blocking the vote over concerns about the domestic use of drones. He was the only one who voted against confirmation.
Comey, a Republican, served as a deputy attorney general in the previous administration of President George W. Bush.
Comey is perhaps best known for refusing to approve legal aspects of a domestic surveillance program in 2004, when he was acting attorney general while his boss, John Ashcroft, was recovering from surgery.
The White House says Comey has "demonstrated unwavering toughness, integrity and principle" during his career in defending security and the nation's values.
Senators Monday overwhelmingly supported Comey with a vote of 93-1. He will replace Robert Mueller, who has led the FBI since shortly before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States.
The vote went forward Monday after Republican Senator Rand Paul ended his delaying tactics against the nomination. Paul had been blocking the vote over concerns about the domestic use of drones. He was the only one who voted against confirmation.
Comey, a Republican, served as a deputy attorney general in the previous administration of President George W. Bush.
Comey is perhaps best known for refusing to approve legal aspects of a domestic surveillance program in 2004, when he was acting attorney general while his boss, John Ashcroft, was recovering from surgery.
The White House says Comey has "demonstrated unwavering toughness, integrity and principle" during his career in defending security and the nation's values.
