The Senate has confirmed a new commander of U.S. Army forces in the Pacific after a senator dropped his objections, allowing a quick vote on the nomination. Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark's nomination was blocked for months due to concerns about the handling of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization earlier this year. Clark, nominated by President Joe Biden in July, was confirmed late Tuesday evening after the senator lifted the hold.
The senator initially demanded a report from the Pentagon’s inspector general, which has not yet been released. However, after meeting with Clark and discussing the matter, the senator decided to drop the hold. Clark's explanation aligned with others in the Pentagon, leading to the senator's decision to trust him.
Earlier this year, there was bipartisan frustration over the lack of immediate notification to President Biden when Austin was hospitalized with complications from cancer treatment. Austin was admitted to intensive care on Jan. 1, but the White House was not informed until three days later. Austin took full responsibility for the lapse and apologized to Biden, emphasizing that there were no gaps in control of the department or national security.
An earlier Pentagon review attributed the secrecy to privacy restrictions and staff hesitancy, prompting calls for improved procedures, which have since been implemented. A hold by any senator on a nomination can block a quick vote by unanimous consent, requiring additional time for the nomination to proceed.
This incident follows a previous blockade by the senator on military promotions over a Pentagon abortion policy. After facing criticism from both parties, the senator relented, and the Senate approved hundreds of military promotions and nominations in November.
