In a surprise twist, Senator Susan Collins (RINO-ME) will support Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to become director of national intelligence (DNI) after rumors that she was set to derail it.
In a statement Monday afternoon, Collins said that Gabbard shared her vision of “returning the agency to its intended size” and was satisfied with Garrard’s answers regarding her concerns about NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.
“After extensive consideration of her nomination, I will support Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence,” Collins said. “The Office of the Director of National Intelligence … has become far larger than it was designed to be, and Ms. Gabbard shares my vision of returning the agency to its intended size.”
“In response to my questions during our discussion in my office and at the open hearing, as well as through her explanation at the closed hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Ms. Gabbard addressed my concerns regarding her views on Edward Snowden,” Collins said. “I look forward to working with Ms. Gabbard to strengthen our national security.”
This is an enormous get for Gabbard as the Senate Intelligence Committee is set to meet Tuesday afternoon to potentially advance Gabbard toward a floor vote. As TGP readers know, Collins was previously viewed as an unlikely vote for Gabbard.
Collins told The Hill last week that she has many concerns about Tulsi Gabbard’s stance on Section 702 of the FISA which gives government permission to spy on ‘foreign’ targets without a warrant.
“There are a lot of obvious issues,” Collins said. “Her answers to the written questions were very hedged on it. I know there’s been a lot of reporting that she’s changed her position. That’s not how I read her answers. I read them as ‘I’ll take a look at the reforms and see if they meet my concerns.’”
Now, attention turns to Never-Trump Senator Todd Young (RINO-IN), who has been considered the other GOP swing vote on the panel. He was noticeably frustrated during last week’s hearing when Gabbard refused to label Snowden a traitor.
While the Senate Intelligence Committee can hold a secret vote in a SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility), GOP Senators are pressuring Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR) to hold a public vote.
