Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) tapped Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) to temporarily lead the Senate Intelligence Committee after former chairman Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) stepped aside last week.
BREAKING: Marco Rubio is the interim Senate Intelligence Committee chairman, McConnell announces.
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) May 18, 2020
Marco Rubio named acting chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, McConnell announces, after Richard Burr stepped aside while he faces a federal probe
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 18, 2020
Sen. Burr resigned his role as chairman as he is being investigated by the FBI for claims of insider trading.
Full McConnell statement: pic.twitter.com/9ecG7wzOdN
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) May 14, 2020
Leader McConnell praised Sen. Rubio's credentials:
“The senior senator for Florida is a talented and experienced Senate leader with expertise in foreign affairs and national security matters. Senator Rubio was the natural choice for this temporary assignment on the basis of accumulated committee service. His proven leadership on pertinent issues only made the decision easier.” Leader McConnell said in a statement. “By and large, our nation’s intelligence professionals are dedicated, hard-working men and women who counter foreign threats and keep Americans safe. They deserve all the resources and support Congress can provide. But as recent years have made painfully clear with respect to federal law enforcement, we also need proactive leadership from within and thorough oversight from Congress to keep partisan bias and political interference out of these sensitive activities.”
Sen. Rubio’s appointment is temporary, and his tenure is contingent on the FBI’s investigation into Sen. Burr.