WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Thursday to confirm John Ratcliffe as the next CIA director under President Donald Trump, approving the second high-level appointment for the new administration.

Ratcliffe faced a brief delay to his nomination from Democrats questioning his independence from President Donald Trump.

Ratcliffe told senators the CIA must do better when it comes to using technology like artificial intelligence to confront adversaries including Russia and China.

John Ratcliffe, former director of national intelligence during President Trump's first term, has been confirmed by the Senate to lead the CIA — the first person to have held both jobs.

The US Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe with overwhelming bipartisan support as director of the CIA, filling a key post in President Donald Trump's national security team.