Senate Judiciary Unanimously Advances Wray's Nomination as FBI Director

Christopher Wray's nomination as FBI director was advanced 20-0 by the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday. Democrats led by ranking member Dianne Feinstein of California said at the committee's executive business meeting they were satisfied and encouraged from Wray's testimony (see 1707120045 and 1706160029) and his written answers to their questions that he would be independent and free from political influence. Except for Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, only Democrats spoke at the 25-minute meeting. None talked about other issues like encryption or Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in relation to Wray. Typically, nominations being considered for the first time at the committee's executive business meeting are held over for one week, but Feinstein said she had no intention of holding Wray's nomination over.