Senate Confirms First Openly Gay Leader of US Military Service

[W!nston]

The Senate Armed Services Committee has confirmed the first openly gay leader of a U.S. military service
US News | By RICHARD LARDNER, Associated Press | March 10, 2016, at 11:51 a.m.

In this Jan. 21, 2016 file photo, Eric Fanning testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Senate Armed Services Committee. The committee has confirmed Fanning, the first openly gay leader of a U.S. military service. By voice vote Thursday, March 10, 2016, committee members approved the nomination of Fanning to be Army secretary.​

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Armed Services Committee has confirmed the first openly gay leader of a U.S. military service, voting Thursday to approve the nomination of Eric Fanning to be Army secretary.

But it's unclear when the full Senate will take up Fanning's nomination.

Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., last year placed a hold on his nomination to protest the Obama administration's efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention facility. Sarah Little, Roberts' spokeswoman, said the hold remains in place.

President Barack Obama nominated Fanning to the post in September. The committee moved ahead with Fanning's nomination after the Defense Department delivered copies of work-related emails that Fanning and Defense Secretary Ash Carter exchanged over Carter's personal unsecured email account.

Fanning has held several jobs in the Pentagon. He served as the Army secretary's principal adviser on management and operation of the service, with a focus on the budget. He was undersecretary of the Air Force from April 2013 to February 2015, and for half a year was the acting secretary of the Air Force. He also worked on Carter's transition.

The committee met in January to consider Fanning's nomination shortly after he stepped down from the job in an acting capacity.

Committee members had expressed concern a federal law governing requirements for filling openings that require Senate confirmation would be violated if Fanning continued as acting secretary. The committee chairman, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, said Fanning's resignation "cured" the problem, but the committee adjourned without voting.

The committee's approval comes as the Obama administration works to eliminate barriers to military service based on sexuality or gender.

SOURCE

We have come a long way, baby!

I think he's kinda HAWT! :devil:

 

[gb2000ie]

This is only the first step in the processes - the committee don't actually have the power to confirm anyone - they have only agreed to let him come up before the full senate for a vote!

Now - since the Republicans have decided not to do thier job, and not to process confirmations, the chances are high this guy will not get confirmed before the Sentae finishes it's term, in which case, the new President will need to start the ball rolling all over again, and the new president may well nominate someone else for the job.

The Republican's refusal to do their constitutionally defined duty makes me so angry. THEY are always going on about how important the constitution is - PROVE IT - DO YOUR FUCKING CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY YOU PARTISAN PRICKS!

Actions speak louder than words - Republicans have to TALK a lot about loving the constitution in order to distract from their un-constitutional actions! The lady doth indeed protest too much.

*steps off soap box*

Great that the Armed Services Committee managed to approve of a gay guy. Sad that he'll probably never get to take up his post

B.