Senate committee approves four DOD civilian nominees

The Senate Armed Services Committee forwarded to the Senate floor today four Defense Department civilian nominations, including the Trump administration's pick for a top Pentagon policy maker.

The committee approved David Trachtenberg to be principal deputy under secretary of defense for policy; Owen West to be assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict; Ryan McCarthy to be Army under secretary; and Charles Stimson to be the Navy's general counsel, according to a July 20 panel announcement. Their nominations have been reported to the Senate floor.

Additionally, the panel approved 3,879 pending military nominations, including the renomination of Air Force Gen. Paul Selva to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.