President Joe Biden on Friday announced he will nominate Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the US Navy, which would make her the first woman to hold the position and to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

But it is unclear if the Senate will confirm her by the time her predecessor leaves office, as a Republican lawmaker is stalling more than 200 senior military nominations to protest the Pentagon's decision to assist troops who have to travel to receive abortions.

"Franchetti will bring 38 years of dedicated service to our nation as a commissioned officer, including in her current role of Vice Chief of Naval Operations," Biden said in a statement.

"She is the second woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and when confirmed, she will again make history as the first woman to serve as the Chief of Naval Operations and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff," he said.

Franchetti has served on a series of surface vessels, commanding a guided missile destroyer, a destroyer squadron and two carrier strike groups.

She was deputy commander of US naval forces in Europe and as well as in Africa, and deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development, among other positions. She became vice chief of naval operations in September 2022.

Admiral Mike Gilday is due to complete his four-year term as head of the Navy next month, but Franchetti's confirmation will likely be held up by Senator Tommy Tuberville, who has been delaying the approval of military nominees for months.

– 'Dangerous' delay –

The senator opposes the Pentagon's decision to allow service members to take administrative absences to receive "non-covered reproductive health care," and to establish travel allowances to help them cover costs — policies put in place after the Supreme Court struck down the nationwide right to abortion last year.

Though the Senate — which must sign off on nominations of military officers — can still vote on them individually, Tuberville's "hold" means they cannot be quickly approved in groups by unanimous consent.

Biden took aim at Tuberville in the statement, saying that delaying the approval of the nominees "is not only wrong — it is dangerous."

"In this moment of rapidly evolving security environments and intense competition, he is risking our ability to ensure that the United States Armed Forces remain the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. And his Republican colleagues in the Senate know it," the president said.

Gilday would hand over to Franchetti in her capacity as his deputy in the event she is not confirmed when he leaves office, mirroring the current situation in the Marine Corps.

General Eric Smith — the assistant commandant — has been nominated to head the service, but has yet to be confirmed and has been serving in an acting capacity since July 10.

Other top officers are also due to leave office in the coming months, including Chief of Staff of the Army General James McConville and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.

Joe Biden military nominee would be first woman to serve in Joint Chiefs of Staff
 Washington DC (UPI) Jul 21, 2021 –

U.S. President Joe Biden announced nominees for four key military positions, the White House said Friday. If confirmed, one nominee will become the first woman to serve with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

For chief of naval operations, Biden will nominate current Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti.

"As our next chief of naval operations, Adm. Lisa Franchetti will bring 38 years of dedicated service to our nation as a commissioned officer, including in her current role of vice chief of naval operations," Biden said in a press statement Friday.

"Throughout her career, Adm. Franchetti has demonstrated extensive expertise in both operational and policy arenas. She is the second woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and, when confirmed, she will again make history as the first woman to serve as the chief of naval operations and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff," Biden said.

Biden intends to nominate the current deputy commander of U.S. Fleet Forces, Vice Adm. James Kilby, to replace Franchetti.

"Vice Adm. Kilby has done outstanding work to ensure that our naval forces are combat-ready and deployable worldwide," Biden said.

The White House says Biden will nominate current U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander, Adm. Samuel Paparo, to the position of commander of the Indo-Pacific Command and will nominate current Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy for the Joint Chief of Staff, Vice Adm. Stephen T. "Web" Koehler, for the position of commander of Pacific Fleet.

"These two officers both have significant experience serving in the Indo-Pacific, where our military strength is critical to ensuring the security and stability of this vital region of the world," Biden said.

Biden's nominees are expected to have confirmation hearings before the Senate in the fall, during which they could face potential challenges from Republican lawmakers.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville has indicated he will hold up nominations unless the military changes a policy allowing servicewomen to leave bases in states where abortion is illegal to travel to states where it is legal.