Eric Fanning Would Be First Openly-Gay Secretary of the Army, Is Immensely Qualified, Blocked by Anti-Gay Republican Senator
Today marks six months since President Barack Obama first nominated Eric Fanning to be U.S. Secretary of the Army. Fanning, by almost all accounts, is immensely qualified, possibly the most-qualified to ever be nominated.Â
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest on Monday chastised Senate Republicans, calling it “unconscionable” for them to continue to block his nomination, adding, “our national security would be enhanced by the Senate confirming the Secretary of the Army, particularly when it’s someone as distinguished as Mr. Fanning.”
Even though America is currently engaged in trying to extinguish ISIS, and thwarting terrorism around the globe, Senate Republicans insist on blocking Fanning’s nomination. The primary roadblock is Republican Senator Pat Roberts of Oklahoma, whose anti-LGBT positions and voting record are well-known.
Sen. Roberts has place a hold on Fanning, supposedly in an attempt to stop President Obama from closing Guantanamo. Roberts has campaigned on the notion that he is preventing inmates from Guantanamo from entering Kansas – which almost certainly would never, ever happen, so the hold on Fanning – which has absolutely nothing to do with closing Guantanamo, continues.
Washington Blade Chief Political & White House Reporter Chris Johnson on Monday asked Earnest if President Obama will “employ the same effort” to get Fanning confirmed that he is to get his nominee to the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland, confirmed.
Johnson reports, “Earnest offered few details Monday about the Obama administration’s strategy to encourage the U.S. Senate to confirm Eric Fanning as the first-ever openly gay Army secretary.” He also notes “Earnest declined to comment” when asked “whether the administration thinks Fanning’s sexual orientation and potential distinction as the first openly gay Army secretary is a factor in the hold.”
“I have no idea what the motivations are of Republicans to unfairly block the nomination of a patriotic American to this critical national security post,†Earnest told Johnson.
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EARLIER:
Breaking: GOP Senator Forces First Openly Gay Army Secretary Nominee To Temporarily Step Aside
After Refusing, McCain Relents, Schedules Eric Fanning’s Historic Confirmation Hearing
One GOP Senator Vows To Block Nomination Of First Openly-Gay Army Secretary Through End Of Year
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Image: Screenshot via YouTube