Senate Confirms Elbridge Colby To Top Pentagon Post

In a 54-45 vote, the U.S. Senate voted on Tuesday to confirm Elbridge Colby to be the next under secretary of defense for policy at the Pentagon. Several Democrat senators joined Republicans in supporting Colby, including Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Elisa Slotkin of Michigan, and Mark Kelly of Arizona. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was the lone Republican to vote against the nominee’s confirmation.

Colby’s nomination was advanced to the full Senate following a vote by the Senate Armed Services Committee last week. The committee did not release a final vote tally, only saying in a press release that Colby’s nomination was reported “favorably” in a roll call vote.

As under secretary of defense for policy, Colby will play a significant role in facilitating President Donald Trump’s policy priorities throughout the Defense Department. According to the Congressional Research Service, the position’s office “leads the development of the National Defense Strategy (NDS), routinely represents the Department of Defense (DOD) to interagency and international partners, and has a key role in preserving civilian control of the military.”

Colby previously served as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development in the first Trump administration. (Read more from “Senate Confirms Elbridge Colby To Top Pentagon Post” HERE)