US Navy joins Army, Marine Corps in having no Senate-confirmed leader, in historic first
WASHINGTON, Aug 14 (Reuters) – The U.S. Navy on Monday grew to become the third department of the army to no longer have a Senate-confirmed chief for the first time in historical past, as a Republican senator continues to dam army nominations.
Retiring Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday gave up command on Monday. The Navy, Army and Marine Corps at the moment are all with out a confirmed chief.
“This is unprecedented. It is unnecessary. And it is unsafe,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated throughout a relinquishment ceremony on the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville, who represents Alabama, has blocked a whole lot of army nominations from transferring ahead, saying the Pentagon is wrongly utilizing authorities funding to cowl journey prices for abortions for service members and their dependents.
[1/3]A U.S. flag flutters in the background as members of the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Navy stand on a deck of the USS Bataan, a U.S. Navy Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, because it takes half in a parade of ships throughout Fleet Week 2022 in New York, U.S. May 25, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
“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.
President Joe Biden has nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti to steer the Navy, an historic step that will break a gender barrier in the U.S. army by making her the first girl to command the service and to change into a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – if and when the Senate confirms her. She will lead the Navy in an appearing capability till then.
After the U.S. Supreme Court final yr overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling recognizing a constitutional proper to abortion, the Pentagon stated it will cowl journey prices for service members searching for abortions and as much as 21 days off.
Several states have restricted abortion entry since Roe v. Wade was overturned, and the army argues that girls service members can not select the place they’re stationed.
The Senate’s approval of army promotions is normally easy. Tuberville’s maintain can not stop the Democratic-majority Senate from voting on any promotion, however it may drastically decelerate the method.
Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Hugh Lawson
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