Wray endorsed by Judiciary Committee for FBI director

July 20 (UPI) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday voted unanimously to endorse FBI Director-designate Christopher Wray as President Donald Trump's choice to replace James Comey.

Experts say the bipartisan vote all-but ensures Wray's easy confirmation before the full Senate, a vote that will likely happen before Congress leaves for summer recess next month.

Te committee voted 20-0 in favor of Wray's appointment.

Trump nominated Wray, an attorney who's worked both in private practice and for the Justice Department, after he fired Comey in May. The former director and Trump had butted heads over the FBI's investigation into Russian election hacking and whether anyone on Trump's campaign may have colluded in that effort.

Comey's firing led the Justice Department to name a special counsel, former bureau chief Robert Mueller, to oversee its Russia investigation -- something Trump has labeled a "witch hunt."

Wray's testimony during his confirmation hearing drew bipartisan praise. He was asked whether he had pledged loyalty to Trump -- something Comey said the president asked of him, which he took to be a quid pro quo for allowing him to stay in his job -- and Wray replied that he'd made no such assurance. He also said he would not allow Trump or any member of his administration to exert undue influence or cause the FBI's impartiality to be questioned.

"Mr. Wray's worked closely with the FBI throughout his career and he unquestionably has the credentials to lead the Bureau well," Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the panel's chairman, said in a statement Thursday. "During his hearing, he spoke of the work the FBI does with deep respect and praised the efforts of the FBI in keeping Americans safe. And he told us where his loyalties lie."