Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

Article: US Navy joins Army, Marines in having no Senate-confirmed leader for first time in US history

US Navy joins Army, Marines in having no Senate-confirmed leader for first time in US history

US Navy joins Army, Marines in having no Senate-confirmed leader for first time in US history

PHOTO CAPTION: Representational photo — A U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class directs an F/A-18E Super Hornet on the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in the Philippine Sea, June 7, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Markus Castaneda via U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

 

 

By Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy on Monday became the third branch of the military to no longer have a Senate-confirmed leader for the first time in history, as a Republican senator continues to block military nominations.

Retiring Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday gave up command on Monday. The Navy, Army and Marine Corps are now all without a confirmed leader.

"This is unprecedented. It is unnecessary. And it is unsafe," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a relinquishment ceremony at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

 

Hats



Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville, who represents Alabama, has blocked hundreds of military nominations from moving forward, saying the Pentagon is improperly using government funding to cover travel costs for abortions for service members and their dependents.

"This sweeping hold is undermining America’s military readiness. It’s hindering our ability to retain our very best officers and it’s upending the lives of far too many American military families," Austin added.

 

Tees



President Joe Biden has nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy, an historic step that would break a gender barrier in the U.S. military by making her the first woman to command the service and to become a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - if and when the Senate confirms her. She will lead the Navy in an acting capacity until then.

After the U.S. Supreme Court last year overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling recognizing a constitutional right to abortion, the Pentagon said it would cover travel costs for service members seeking abortions and up to 21 days off.

Several states have limited abortion access since Roe v. Wade was overturned, and the military argues that women service members cannot choose where they are stationed.

The Senate's approval of military promotions is usually smooth. Tuberville's hold cannot prevent the Democratic-majority Senate from voting on any promotion, but it can drastically slow down the process.



(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

Patches

MORE FROM THE

OAF NATION NEWSROOM

Maui wildfires deadliest in century as death toll hits 96, rescue efforts continue

Maui wildfires deadliest in century as death toll hits 96, rescue efforts continue

The death toll from the Maui wildfires reached 96 on Sunday — as relatives of the missing searched for signs their loved ones may still be alive. Tap for the full brief.

Read more
US open to stateside training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16

US open to stateside training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16

The White House said Friday it was open to training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets in the United States if capacity for such training is reached in Europe. Tap for the full brief.

Read more
#3 Liquid error (layout/theme line 179): Could not find asset snippets/back-in-stock-helper.liquid