U.S. Senate Advances Nomination of Terrence Cole as DEA Administrator

Terrence Cole (photo credit: GETTY Images).

The vote, held Monday evening, allows the Senate to move toward a final confirmation vote, which could take place as soon as tonight, though it may be delayed until Tuesday or Wednesday. Cloture was invoked without opposition, signaling broad bipartisan support for Cole’s confirmation. The vote limits further debate on the nomination and sets up the final step in the Senate’s confirmation process.

Cole’s nomination comes at a critical time for federal drug policy, as the DEA faces mounting pressure over marijuana’s classification under the Controlled Substances Act. An administrative law judge paused the agency’s internal review earlier this year, but sources indicate the Trump Administration intends to move forward with a rescheduling push once Cole is confirmed.

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Terrance Cole stated that rescheduling marijuana would be “one of my first priorities” if confirmed as DEA Administrator. Responding to a question from Senator Alex Padilla, Cole acknowledged that the process had faced repeated delays and emphasized the need to move forward. While he did not explicitly endorse moving marijuana to Schedule III, he committed to reviewing the science, evaluating administrative progress, and consulting with experts to guide the DEA’s decision.

Nominated by President Trump earlier this year, Cole is a former senior official at both the DEA and Department of Justice. Supporters view him as a seasoned and reliable figure capable of guiding the agency through a period of major policy shifts.

With cloture now secured, Cole’s confirmation appears likely, pending the outcome of the final vote in the coming days.