Senate panel OKs Pentagon nominations

[unhappycamper]

Senate panel OKs Pentagon nominations
By Anne Flaherty - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Feb 6, 2009 6:01:32 EST

WASHINGTON — The Senate Armed Services Committee has voted in favor of William Lynn, a former Raytheon lobbyist whose nomination as deputy defense secretary ran counter to President Barack Obama’s promise to close the “revolving door” between government and big business.

The panel also endorsed Robert Hale to become Pentagon comptroller, Michele Flournoy to lead the department’s policy office and Jeh Charles Johnson to be Pentagon general counsel. The nominations were approved by voice vote.

The committee action clears a major hurdle for Lynn, although questions remain as to whether Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, will move to block the appointment when it comes up for a vote by the full Senate.

Grassley has questioned Lynn’s lobbying ties as well as his management of the Pentagon’s financial systems while serving as comptroller during the Clinton administration.

Grassley spokeswoman Beth Levine said the senator is still assessing the information available.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_pentagon_nominations_020509w/%2e