March 11 (UPI) -- Gen. Joshua Rudd was confirmed by the Senate to lead the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command Tuesday.
Rudd is already the deputy chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The Senate voted to confirm him in a 71-29 vote.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., voiced his objections to Rudd because he doesn't have cybersecurity experience. He had put a procedural hold to block Rudd's confirmation but the chamber was able to get around it.
"He is not qualified for this job," Wyden wrote in a letter addressed to President Donald Trump that was submitted to the Congressional Record. "And, when it comes to the cybersecurity of this country, there is simply no time for on-the-job learning. The threat is just too urgent for that. For these reasons, I oppose the nomination."
The position of NSA director had been vacant since April, when retired Gen. Timothy Haugh and his civilian deputy Wendy Noble were ousted.
