A former federal prosecutor and Texas Republican, Ratcliffe gained prominence as a congressman as a staunch defender of Trump.

The Senate is poised to confirm John Ratcliffe as CIA director on Thursday as Republicans work to approve officials to the top posts in his administration amid delays by Democrats.

The Senate advanced John Ratcliffe’s nomination for Central Intelligence Agency director in a key test vote, effectively guaranteeing he will be confirmed in a final vote later Thursday.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate confirmed former Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe to serve as the next director of the CIA on Thursday.

Former Congressman John Ratcliffe is the nation's new CIA director after the Senate voted 74-25 in favor of his confirmation on Thursday.

The Senate voted 74 to 25 to confirm John Ratcliffe, President Trump’s former intelligence director, as director of the C.I.A.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe to lead the Central Intelligence Agency in overwhelming bipartisan fashion, making him the second member of President Trump’s national security team to be approved by the upper chamber.

Senate Democrats on Tuesday evening blocked the swift confirmation of John Ratcliffe, who is President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead

A Senate Democrat is blocking a streamlined process to vote on Trump's nominees, forcing the Senate to take lengthy procedural votes. This strategy was employed by Republicans while in the minority.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving President Trump the second member of his new Cabinet. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term and is the first person to have held that position and the top post at the CIA,

The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving President Donald Trump the second member of his new Cabinet.