Senate panel approves nominee for CIA director post

The Senate Intelligence Committee Tuesday approved the nomination of Rep. Porter Goss, R-Fla., to head the CIA.

Three Democrats joined all nine of the panel's Republicans in voting in favor of Goss on a 12-4 vote, the Associated Press reports. Ranking member Jay Rockefeller, D-WVa., however, rejected Goss' bid, saying he had "repeatedly used intelligence issues for partisan purposes."

Rockefeller acknowledged Goss' pledge for nonpartisanship but said he "must vote on his record, not his promises."

The other dissenting Democrats were Sens. Carl Levin of Michigan, Richard Durbin of Illinois and Ron Wyden of Oregon.

Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California, Evan Bayh of Indiana and Barbara Mikulski of Maryland voted to approve the nomination. Vice presidential hopeful Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., did not vote.

Goss' nomination could go before the full Senate as early as this week.