The Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday advanced to a floor vote the administration’s nomination of Air Force Gen. John Hyten to become the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, CQ reported.
The committee approved Hyten’s nomination in a closed-door session the day after his confirmation hearing where he denied recently resurfaced sexual assault allegations made by a 2017 subordinate of Hyten, Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser.
Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) confirmed advancing the nomination for a floor vote saying there was a “very strong vote in favor of Hyten.”
The full Senate may not consider Hyten’s nomination until September. Current Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Air Force Gen. Paul Selva will retire next week leaving military’s second-highest ranking position open until the Senate returns from its upcoming August recess.
Earlier in the day the upper chamber’s Armed Services panel also took testimony from Vice Adm. Michael Gilday, nominated to become the next Chief of Naval Operations and the Navy’s highest-ranked officer.
During the hearing senators spoke highly of Gilday’s experience and said they expected a smooth confirmation for him, according to Navy Times.
“It has never been more important that our Navy have principled leaders who promote respect throughout the ranks, and adhere to a moral code that can serve as an example to all our sailors and Marines,” said Ranking Member Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) “We all expect and demand that you will be that leader.”
Gilday, a 1985 Naval Academy graduate and who currently serves as the director of the Joint Chiefs, is expected to easily clear the Senate though it is also uncertain if he will receive a confirmation vote before senators depart for their five-week recess.
Last week the Senate confirmed Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, the first permanent Pentagon since 2018. The Senate confirmed David Norquist as Esper’s deputy by voice vote late Tuesday evening.
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