Brennan-CIA

Senate clears Brennan as CIA chief

By RICHARD LARDNER and DONNA CASSATA
Associated Press
   WASHINGTON (AP) -- John Brennan has won Senate confirmation to head the CIA
after a late struggle that had more to do with presidential power to order drone strikes
than with the nominee's credentials to lead the spy agency.
   The vote Thursday was 63-34. Brennan will replace Mike Morrell, the acting CIA
director since November.
   The vote came after the Obama administration bowed to demands from Republican
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and specified limits on the president's authority to order
drone strikes against American citizens in the United States.
   Paul declared he was satisfied with the administration's statement, which said the
president does not have the authority to use a drone to kill an American not engaged in
combat on American soil.
   AP-WF-03-07-13 2101GMT