In an excerpt from the floor, the U.S. Senate voted to approve the nomination of Robert Gates, President Bush’s choice, to become the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The vote was 64 in favor, 31 opposed. The vote followed nearly six months of confirmation proceedings, which included congressional investigations, public hearings, closed door committee sessions and spirited debate on the Senate floor. The 47-year-old nominee is currently with the National Security Council staff. He was first nominated for the top post at CIA four years ago by President Reagan. Mr. Gates withdrew from that nomination when questions were raised about his ties to the Iran- Contra affair. Last month the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence recommended Mr. Gates' confirmation to the Senate by a vote of 11 to 4.