UPDATING: In Historic Vote Senate Finally Confirms Eric Fanning as Next Secretary of the Army
One Anti-Gay GOP Senator Had Held Up Confirmation Vote
The U.S. Senate in a unanimous and historic vote has just confirmed Eric Fanning to be the next Secretary of the Army. Fanning, whose extensive resume makes him among the most qualified ever nominated, has been waiting 242 days since President Barack Obama first nominated him to the role. One anti-gay Republican Senator, Pat Roberts, was able to block the confirmation vote by a parliamentary tactic, but he released his hold and Fanning was confirmed.
.@SenPatRoberts just lifted his hold on nomination of Eric Fanning to be Army Secretary, and the Senate just confirmed him. @CQnow
— Kellie Mejdrich (@kelmej) May 17, 2016
HISTORIC: Eric Fanning confirmed as Army Secretary. A demonstration of continued progress toward fairness & equality in U.S. armed forces.
— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) May 17, 2016
Fanning becomes the first openly gay Army Secretary and the highest-ranking openly-LGBT military official in U.S. history.
BREAKING: Eric Fanning unanimously confirmed as Army Secretary in voice vote. He is now the highest ranking LGBT official in history!
— Victory Fund (@VictoryFund) May 17, 2016
Great outcome on “International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia,” congrats Eric Fanning! #IDAHOT2016 https://t.co/v5W7I9hdCC
— Ryan Kaminski (@rykaminski) May 17, 2016
Roberts had vowed to hold up Fanning’s confirmation vote until the end of Obama’s presidency.
UPDATE I: 5:35 PM EDT –
Via The Huffington Post:
Senator Pat Roberts “said he personally called Fanning earlier in the day to tell him he was planning to let him through.”
“My issue has never been with Mr. Fanning’s character, his courage or his capability,†Roberts said on the Senate floor. “He will be a tremendous leader.â€
UPDATE II: 5:37 PM EDT –
It’s important to note Fanning’s qualifications: Until today’s vote he was the Acting Under Secretary of the Army and Chief Management Officer, and has previously served as Chief of Staff of the Department of Defense, Acting Secretary of the Air Force, and Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy, among other roles.
In September, Mike Huckabee said Fanning was unqualified because he is openly gay, and a civilian, and chosen for those reasons. Huckabee clearly was unaware that the Secretary of the Army is a civilian position often held by someone who has never served in the military. “Homosexuality is not a job qualification,” Huckabee said. His comments led his supporters to call for Pres. Obama to be tried for treason.
Â
Â
This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.