Paul Releases Hold on Nomination; Mueller to Stay at FBI

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., released a hold on the nomination of Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller Thursday, allowing the Senate to approve him to serve an extended term.

Typically FBI directors serve 10 year terms and leave the bureau but President Obama sought an extension for Mueller who was first appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001.

Since this is an extension and not a true confirmation in which only the Senate would be involved, this particular piece of legislation approved by the Senate Thursday re-ups Mueller for two years. But that also means it must be approved by the House of Representatives.

Now that Paul's hold has lifted and the Senate approved the bill extending Mueller, the plan is for the House to take up the identical bill next week. Mueller's current term expires at the end of August.

Paul's hold was related to questions he had surrounding the recent arrests of two terror suspects in Bowling Green, Ky. and the screening of refugees and foreign nationals coming to America. After a Thursday meeting with Mueller, Paul agreed to stop holding up the nomination.

Fox News senior House producer Chad Pergram contributed to this report.