Newly elected Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.) asked Rep. Mike Pompeo (R., Kan.) on Thursday for his views on gay marriage and climate change during his Senate confirmation hearing to become CIA director.
Pompeo testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee and answered questions on his nomination to head the CIA in the Trump administration. The Kansas lawmaker responded to a variety of questions involving the intelligence community, including his opinions on Russia, torture, and the Islamic State.
When it was Harris's turn to ask questions, she decided to focus on issues relating to climate change and Pompeo's views on social issues.
"Your voting record and stated position on gay marriage and the importance of having a traditional family structure for raising children is pretty clear," Harris said.
Pompeo has said that he believes in traditional marriage and expressed disagreement with the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling that had the effect of legalizing gay marriage throughout the United States.
"Can you commit to me that your personal views on this issue will remain your personal views and will not impact internal policies that you put in place at the CIA?" Harris asked.
Pompeo assured Harris that his personal beliefs on marriage would not affect his ability to manage employees at the CIA, which handles national security issues.
"You have my full commitment to that," Pompeo said, explaining that as a business owner he never allowed his personal beliefs to interfere with how he treated his employees.
Harris then quoted a statement from current CIA Director John Brennan in which he argues that climate change has contributed to political instability around the world.
"Do you have any reason to doubt the assessment of these CIA analysts?" Harris asked.
"I haven't had a chance to read those materials with respect to climate change," Pompeo said. He then assured her that if the CIA under his leadership found climate change to contribute to political strife around the globe, he would report that information back to the Senate.
Continuing on the topic of climate change, Harris asked Pompeo for his own personal beliefs on the issue.
Pompeo deferred on restating his position as a member of Congress, instead saying, "As the director of CIA, I would prefer today to not get into the details of climate debate and science."
He also promised to have a follow-up conversation with Harris to further discuss his views on climate science after he gives them more thought and discussion.