Senate takes next steps toward confirming key Pentagon officials
Lawmakers voted en bloc, setting up a next round of votes to confirm a new Pentagon comptroller, along with other influential positions.
Lawmakers voted en bloc, setting up a next round of votes to confirm a new Pentagon comptroller, along with other influential positions.
“[There are] provisions in this bill that some folks disagree with, but understand that this is just a single step in a long process,” House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said on the chamber floor today.
“Why do we suddenly have a two part budget where this committee and the Congress generally has oversight and input, to a process where a corner of the budget is essentially a slush fund?” asked Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, during a SASC hearing.
The subcommittee is responsible for the readiness of the US military, overseeing training, logistics, housing, contracting, and more.
Sen. Slotkin’s experience in national security complements her responsibility as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.
A number of other top civilian positions in the Navy's civilian leadership remain filled by acting officials.
Sen. Mark Kelly is the ranking member of SASC’s Airland Subcommittee, legislatively responsible for the successful integration of land- and air-based operations on the battlefield.
Once again, the Republican senator from Alaska is leading the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, which is given responsibility for military readiness across the DoD.
Marine Corps Gen. Christopher Mahoney also weighed in, carefully, on whether the Navy needs a next-gen fighter jet.
During the 119th Republican-controlled Congress, Kaine transitioned to ranking member of the Senate Seapower Subcommittee, overseeing Navy and Marine Corps operations, policy, and programs, excluding space but including cyber, nuclear weapons, and special operations.
"I have serious concerns about whether you will have the resources you need to accomplish your stated mission,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren during a confirmation hearing today.
The Pentagon has until Aug. 22 to provide its own implementation plan laying out whether it will follow the committees’ recommendations, according to a Congressional notice.
For the 119th Congress, Ernst again picks up the reins of a legislative body with jurisdiction over the programs and policies related to: intelligence; counterterrorism; special operations; weapons of mass destruction; and drug trafficking.
The Subcommittee on Seapower has jurisdiction over: Navy planning and operations policy and programs (less, space, cyber, nuclear weapons, and special operations); and Marine Corps planning and operations policy and programs (less cyber, space, and special operations).