Trump’s Spy Chief Pick May Get Senate Hearing Next Week

(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next director of national intelligence, Representative John Ratcliffe of Texas, may get a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing next week, according to two people involved in the process.

One person said the administration expects a hearing to take place, while the other said a hearing was possible. Both spoke on condition of anonymity.

It will be the Senate’s first full week back in Washington since adjourning in March amid the coronavirus pandemic. Ratcliffe -- nominated by Trump on March 2 -- is likely to face questioning about his relative lack of experience in intelligence compared to previous directors, as well as his closeness to Trump and his views about Russian interference in U.S. elections.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine, will be a key GOP vote on the committee, where Republicans hold just a one-seat advantage. Collins faces a tough re-election fight this fall with Democrats focusing on key votes she cast in support of Trump. She has highlighted that she helped co-author the law creating the position following the Sept. 11 attacks.

Trump loyalist Richard Grenell is currently serving as acting director until a new spy chief is confirmed by the Senate. When Grenell was named to the post, top Intelligence Committee Democrat Mark Warner said in a statement he lacked experience.

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