The GOP-led Senate hopes to confirm several new permanent Pentagon leaders this week before it heads home Friday for the upcoming August recess, Military Times reported.
The upper chamber’s highest Pentagon priorities will be holding a confirmation vote for current Army Secretary Dr. Mark Esper to become the next permanent defense secretary, followed by another confirmation vote for Army Gen. Mark Milley to become the next Joint Chiefs chairman.
Both Esper’s and Milley’s confirmations are expected Tuesday after Senate floor votes that are unlikely to produce significant opposition to their appointments.
On Wednesday current DOD comptroller and Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee at 10 for his confirmation hearing.
Current Acting Defense Secretary Richard Spencer, who is also serving as DOD’s permanent Navy Secretary, is expected to become the Pentagon’s second-in-charge senior official once Norquist is confirmed as permanent deputy defense secretary.
The appointment of the top defense officials is expected to provide new stability at the Pentagon where military officials have waited more than 200 days for a permanent replacement to former Defense Secretary Marine Corps Gen. Jim Mattis.
Army Photo by Bridget Lynch