Colby's nomination for DOD policy chief moves forward

The Senate Armed Services Committee has voted to advance the nomination of Elbridge Colby to be under secretary of defense policy.

The committee did not announce a vote count.

During his March 4 nomination hearing, Colby, who would be one of the primary authors of the Trump administration’s upcoming national defense strategy, said he wants to deliver a “realistic strategy of prioritization focused on China” while working with allies in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

“We don’t have a military that's capable of fighting four adversaries,” he said. "Because the threat is so acute and so realistic, and because of the very real possibility of multifront war, we must have a realistic plan. I feel a special obligation that, if confirmed, I must deliver a strategy that actually deals with that.”

He also emphasized the need to expand the U.S. defense industrial base.