Senate confirms General Hayden as CIA director

  • Published
  • By John D. Banusiewicz
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  By a 78-15 vote, the Senate today confirmed Air Force Gen. Michael V. Hayden as CIA director.

General Hayden, who has served under John D. Negroponte as principal deputy director of national intelligence since April 2005, succeeds Porter Goss.

"I commend the Senate for confirming Michael Hayden as director of the Central Intelligence Agency by a bipartisan majority," President George W. Bush said in a White House statement shortly after the Senate vote. "Winning the war on terror requires that America have the best intelligence possible, and his strong leadership will ensure that we do.

"General Hayden is a patriot and a dedicated public servant whose broad experience, dedication and expertise make him the right person to lead the CIA at this critical time," the president's statement said. "I look forward to working with Ambassador Negroponte, General Hayden and the other leaders of our intelligence community as we continue to address the challenges and threats we face in the 21st century. I congratulate General Hayden and his family on his confirmation and thank him for his continued service to our nation."

General Hayden's 36-year Air Force career has included a six-year stint as director of the National Security Agency as well as other assignments in the intelligence arena. He has held senior positions at the Pentagon, in U.S. European Command and on the National Security Council and he served in the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria during the Cold War.

It was not immediately clear when he will be sworn into his new post.