Senate panel advances Smith's nomination as Marine Corps commandant

The Senate Armed Services Committee has voted to advance the nomination of Gen. Eric Smith to be Marine Corps commandant.

Though Smith’s name will now move to the full Senate for confirmation, the matter is set to run into Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) blockade of all Pentagon nominees and military promotions. Tuberville is holding up the nomination process over his opposition to the Defense Department’s travel and leave policies for servicemembers seeking abortion services.

Gen. David Berger, the current Marine Corps commandant, is slated to retire in July.

Smith, currently the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, has said that, if confirmed, he will continue the service's Force Design 2030 transformation effort.

The committee also voted to advance the nomination of Maj. Gen. Leonard Anderson to be commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces South.