U.S. Senate committee approves Fanning nomination as Army Secretary
If approved by full Senate, Fanning would become first gay man to head U.S. military branch
The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved the nomination of Eric Fanning, the former acting undersecretary of the U.S. Army, to become the full-time Army Secretary. The committee’s approval marks the first time that an openly gay man has been preliminarily approved to become the head of a U.S. military branch.
Even though Fanning’s nomination has passed its first hurdle at the committee level, it remains unclear if, let alone when, his nomination could be considered by the full Senate. According to the Associated Press, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) continues to have a hold placed on Fanning’s nomination due to the senator’s objection to the Obama administration’s goal of closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Obama previously nominated Fanning to replace the outgoing Army Secretary John McHugh back in September. Fanning has an extensive resume serving in various capacities at the Pentagon. He previously served as deputy undersecretary and deputy chief management officer of the Navy from 2009 to 2013. He was nominated by President Obama in 2012 and confirmed in 2013 as undersecretary of the Air Force, and temporarily assumed the position of acting secretary of the Air Force while current Secretary Deborah Lee James was waiting to be confirmed by the Senate. In January, Fanning stepped down from his position as acting undersecretary after pressure from GOP senators who had been delaying his nomination.
The American Military Partner Association (AMPA), an organization representing LGBT servicemembers and their families, issued a statement in response to the Senate committee’s action.
“We are thrilled to see Eric Fanning confirmed by the Senate Armed Services Committee,” AMPA President Ashley Broadway-Mack said. “History continues to be written and equality marches forward with the nomination of an openly gay man to serve in this significantly important role. Fanning’s expertise and knowledge within the defense community more than qualifies him to serve as Secretary of the Army. We urge the Senate to move quickly to confirm his appointment.”
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