The Republican-led Senate of the U. S. approved President Bush's choice to head the CIA, Rep. Porter Goss, over protests from some Democrats who said he has too many Republican ties for a job that requires independence.

The nomination of the Florida congressman, who had planned to retire after eight terms, was confirmed Wednesday by a vote of 77-17. A former CIA and Army intelligence officer during the 1960s, Goss would be only the second congressman to take over the helm of the CIA, following former President and House member George H.W. Bush.

Goss, 65, will lead an intelligence community that has faced intense criticism for failures prior to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and for its prewar estimates on Iraq. Yet defenders say the 15 agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence network have become more focused and made changes to address international terrorism and other threats.

In addition to serving as CIA director, Goss will take on the job's dual role as head of a loose confederation of 14 other agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence community.

Bush nominated Goss in August to replace former CIA Director George Tenet, who caught many by surprise in June when he announced he'd resign after seven years, serving two administrations.

Should Kerry be elected president, he would be expected to pick a different CIA director. Neither Kerry nor his running mate, Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., voted on the confirmation.

Source: Agencies