Cornyn, member of Intel panel, will vote for Gabbard

Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R), an influential member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, introduced on Friday that he’ll vote for Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s choose to function director of nationwide intelligence.

Cornyn, who mentioned earlier this week that he had “questions” about Gabbard’s views on expanded surveillance authority beneath Part 702 of the Overseas Intelligence Surveillance Act, mentioned in an announcement that Trump has a “right” to choose his workforce.

“Having won the election decisively, I believe President Trump has earned the right to appoint his own cabinet, absent extraordinary circumstances. Therefore, it is my intention to consent to the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence,” Cornyn mentioned.

The veteran lawmaker didn’t appear overly impressed by Gabbard’s efficiency at her affirmation listening to Thursday, when she repeatedly refused to denounce former NSA contractor-turned-Russian citizen Edward Snowden a “traitor.”

Requested to grade Gabbard’s exhibiting earlier than the Intelligence Committee, Cornyn mentioned: “Umm, I thought she did OK.”

Cornyn instructed reporters Monday that he had questions for Gabbard, despite the fact that he had already mentioned he was inclined to vote for Trump’s nominees “absent extraordinary circumstances.”

“I have questions. I think Sen. Collins and others have talked about Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which is very important. Sixty percent of the president’s daily brief comes from 702 intelligence so she’s now acknowledged the importance of it. I want to ask her a few questions about that,” he mentioned on Monday.