WASHINGTON -
A vote on the confirmation of John Brennan as CIA director was held up Wednesday by a 13-hour Senate filibuster launched by Kentucky Republican Rand Paul.
Paul took the floor shortly before noon to protest the Obama administration's drone policy. He had been assisted with lengthy questions and comments from a few other lawmakers including Fla. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.
The filibuster ended shortly after 12:30 a.m. Thursday.
He announced earlier Wednesday he was mounting the filibuster against President Barack Obama's pick to lead the spy agency and demanded that the president or Attorney General Eric Holder issue a statement making clear that drones would not be used in the United States to kill terrorism suspects who are American citizens.
Watch live video of the Senate floor
Paul has been reading from notebooks filled with articles about the expanded use of unmanned weapons. He has referred to the articles throughout the talk-a-thon.
The senator has snacked on candy but has drunk very little water. Senate rules require him to remain on the floor or surrender it.
According to the Washington Post, Paul's talking filibuster is the first in the Senate since 2010. The longest talking filibuster on record lasted 24 hours, 18 minutes when Sen. Strom Thurmond (D-S.C.) tried to block civil rights legislation in 1957.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he planned to file a motion to bring debate over the Brennan nomination to an end. But he would need 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to do that.
Brennan's nomination won approval Tuesday by the Senate Intelligence Committee by a 12-3 vote.
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Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
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