U.S. Senator McCain Vows To Delay Dempsey Nomination As Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff (Updated)

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, waits for the start of a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., July 18, 2013. Dempsey testified on his nomination to serve a second two-year term as the nation's top military leader. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Hinton

McCain To Block New Term For Joint Chiefs Chairman -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — Senator John McCain said Thursday that he intended to block President Obama’s nomination of Gen. Martin E. Dempsey to another two-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mr. McCain made his announcement after he and the general had a testy exchange over whether the Obama administration was doing enough to assist the Syrian rebels.

“I’m actually going to put a hold on General Dempsey until General Dempsey responds to legitimate questions,” Mr. McCain said just two days after he helped negotiate a deal to ease the Senate confirmation process for Mr. Obama’s nominees.

Asked whether he would place the hold only after the Armed Services Committee forwarded the nomination to a vote by the full Senate, Mr. McCain responded tersely, “Before, after and during.”

“I want to see him answer the question,” he added. A vote by 60 senators can overcome a hold.

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