The Hill News

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday praised President Obama's nominees to his national-security team, including Leon Panetta, the CIA director with whom she's clashed.

Pelosi welcomed Obama's selection of Panetta to become the next secretary of Defense, replacing outgoing Secretary Robert Gates. The Democratic leader similarly welcomed Obama's selection of Gen. David Petraeus to lead the CIA, the nomination of Ryan Crocker as the next ambassador to Afghanistan and the choice of Lt. Gen. John Allen to lead U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

"In appointing experienced and committed public servants to key national-security posts, President Obama has acted to strengthen our country’s defenses and the safety of the American people," she said.

Pelosi offered praise for each of the nominees individually â€" especially noteworthy because of her two-year-old spat with the likely future Defense secretary.

"Director Pan! etta’s experience in Congress, the White House and the CIA provide him with the judgment and background to serve as a strong secretary of Defense," Pelosi said in support of Panetta.

The Panetta nomination comes roughly two years after Pelosi and the CIA director were locked in a public war of words about the agency's briefing of lawmakers on harsh interrogation tactics.

Pelosi accused the CIA of "misleading" members of Congress during briefings on interrogation tactics, including waterboarding, against suspected terrorists.

Panetta shot back at the time by disputing the Speaker's charge, saying the CIA's briefings for lawmakers were truthful and accurate.

"It is not our policy or practice to mislead Congress," he wrote at the time.

Panetta had served with Pelosi as a member of California's congressional delegation until 1993, before going on to serve as chief of staff in the Clinton administration.