Drone filibuster delays US Senate’s vote on new CIA director

A US Senate vote to confirm John Brennan as CIA director was delayed by a 13-hour talking filibuster by junior Republican Senator Rand Paul.

US President Barack Obama has faced criticism in his choice of Brennan as head of the Central Intelligence Agency over his administration’s use of armed drones to attack suspected members and allies of al-Qaeda. Brennan oversees the drone program as Obama’s counterterrorism adviser.

The vote proceeded today — despite the filibuster — and Brennan was confirmed as CIA director by a 63-34 vote that crossed party lines.

(Photo credit: USDAgov)

Read more …

… in support of the filibuster:

• Rand Paul’s beautiful anti-drone filibuster shows how civil liberties can unite and revive the Republican Party | The Telegraph (UK)
• The Tale of Rand Paul’s Drone Filibuster | The Atlantic Wire (US)

… against the filibuster:

• Rand Paul anti-drone filibuster draws stinging criticism from Republicans | The Guardian (UK)
• Sens. McCain, Graham lambast ‘ridiculous’ drone filibuster by Paul | The Hill (US)

Hallie Siegel robotics editor-at-large

Hallie Siegel robotics editor-at-large