Sped-up confirmation vote threatens to cut short Richard Grenell's declassification spree
by Daniel Chaitin
& Jerry Dunleavy
| May 21, 2020 12:59 AM
Acting spy chief Richard Grenell's reign as a prodigious declassifier is set to end with the full Senate poised to vote on the nomination of Rep. John Ratcliffe.
The vote, set for noon on Thursday, appears to be happening sooner than previously expected. The Washington Post reported Tuesday morning that congressional aides believed a vote would likely take place after Memorial Day. But the Associated Press reported on Wednesday that Democrats are allowing for the process to be completed more expeditiously without procedural hurdles, even as they voice opposition to Ratcliffe's nomination.
Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany who also took on the role of acting director of national intelligence in February, has roiled Democrats and pleased Republicans by declassifying long-sought-after documents related to investigations into Russian election interference.
Most recently, on Tuesday, the fully declassified version of the email Obama national security adviser Susan Rice sent herself about an Oval Office discussion on the FBI's investigation into retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn was released to the public.
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/sped-up-confirmation-vote-threatens-to-cut-short-richard-grenells-declassification-spree
