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The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced Harry Coker Jr.’s nomination to lead the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) on November 15, 2023, by an 8–2 vote. That committee action was not the final confirmation: the full Senate confirmed Coker on December 12, 2023, by a vote of 59–40.

What the committee vote did

At its November 15, 2023, business meeting, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee ordered Coker’s nomination to be reported to the Senate. The roll-call tally was 8 yeas and 2 nays. In Senate procedure, reporting a nomination advances it from committee for consideration by the full chamber; it does not itself install the nominee in the post. The committee’s meeting record records the action and vote.

When the Senate confirmed Coker

The full Senate confirmed Coker on December 12, 2023, by 59 yeas and 40 nays. The confirmation vote followed the committee’s November action and completed the Senate’s consideration of his nomination. The Senate roll-call record gives the floor tally.

What the National Cyber Director does

The National Cyber Director leads ONCD in the Executive Office of the President. At Coker’s nomination hearing, then-HSGAC Chairman Gary Peters described the office’s role as developing and coordinating a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to cybersecurity. Peters also said the office was instrumental in implementing the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy. These remarks describe the office’s policy-coordination role; they are not a complete account of its statutory authorities. Peters’s prepared statement and the hearing materials are available from the committee.

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Coker’s stated priorities and background

In written testimony submitted for his November 2, 2023, hearing, Coker described more than four decades of military and civil service, including senior work at the CIA and NSA. He said cooperation would guide his work if confirmed:

“If confirmed, I will ensure cooperation continues to be the North Star at the Office of the National Cyber Director and the guiding principle for the Administration’s cyber work with all partners, including Congress.”

Coker’s written statement was submitted to the committee for the November 2 hearing.

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Who succeeded Coker?

Coker did not remain National Cyber Director through 2026. The committee’s nominations record lists Sean Cairncross as confirmed to the position in 2025. The HSGAC nominations page provides the later confirmation record.

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