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.
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.
Today, the U.S Attorney General sent a letter to Paul saying the administration could not legally kill an American on U.S. soil not engaged in combat.
"So it has taken a while but we got an explicit answer. I'm pleased that we did and to me I think the entire battle was worthwhile."
Brennan will replace Mike Morrell who has been the acting director since November.
