Kahl's nomination hearing slated for March 4

Colin Kahl, whom President Biden has nominated to be under secretary of defense for policy, is scheduled to appear March 4 before the Senate Armed Services Committee, where some Republicans may oppose his nomination.

Kahl, who previously served in the Obama administration as deputy assistant to the president and national security adviser to the vice president, played a key role in the 2015 U.S.-Iran nuclear deal from which former President Trump later withdrew. The deal has long been criticized by Republicans as too favorable for Iran. The Biden administration, meanwhile, has signaled it wants to restart the deal.

Committee staffers said Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) "has serious concerns" about Kahl's nomination based on the Iran deal.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) told reporters earlier this week that he fully supports Kahl and thinks he will receive fair consideration. But the upcoming hearing, Reed said, will be "critical" for Kahl to allay any concerns lawmakers might have.

Kahl is the third senior Pentagon nominee Biden has selected.