Congress Critters Hold General Officer Promotions

[las47032]

The Pentagon is upset that about 140 military officers are being delayed from Senate confirmation because of political disputes among Senate Democrats and Republicans.

The Pentagon is "painfully aware" of the problem, said one official, who described the conflicting "holds" on nominees as "politics at its worst."

The first hold on two key military promotions was imposed by a Democrat last month. It blocked, among others, the promotion of Army Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal to be the director of the Joint Staff once the Senate confirms his fourth star. Gen. McChrystal will depart as commander of the Joint Special Operations Command, which is on the front line of the
war on terrorism.

Also on hold is Navy Rear Adm. William H. McRaven, head of Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), who is slated to replace Gen. McChrystal.

According to Senate aides, the military hold was done in secret by Democrats in response to Republicans holding up Federal Election Commission nominees in their effort to prevent a political realignment on the commission favoring Democrats.

A Democratic aide blamed the military hold on one Republican who is blocking all nominees over a disputed appointment to the Tennessee Valley Authority.

A Pentagon official said of Gen. McChrystal and Adm. McRaven: "These guys have done tremendous work in the war on terrorism, and we need them [confirmed]."

Said Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell: "We were pleased that all the nominees, including Gen. McChrystal and Adm. McRaven, were voted out of committee by unanimous consent and, though it has been two weeks since the committee voiced its overwhelming support, we remain optimistic they will soon be confirmed by the full Senate."

Source: Inside the Ring

[leobold1]

Support the Troops.

Just don't promote them.

[Snowden]

Nothing makes sense any more where the Congress is concerned.

Maybe it never did, but it certainly makes no sense now!

[Manchu34]

A typical action of Congress. Tit for tat. The Republicans disagree with the Democrats and visa-versa, be it political appointees or the Federal budget, use the military as a vise and blame the other side. Deny promotions, pay raises, etc, doesn't matter to them. They know the military can't really do anything about it. They can't quit, go on strike, etc. No more then a pin cushion and second class citizen to Congress and many others.

[Snowden]

I think you have a point there, Ed. The military keeps this country safe -- nobody seems to keep the military safe from our politicians.

[Woodmonkey]

The military have always been treated as pawns of Congress and even our President. The difference has been if there is any respect.