Biden names first ever woman to lead US Navy but anti-abortion senator may block
President Joe Biden has picked the first-ever woman to lead the US Navy in a historic move, but it could be blocked by a senator that opposes the Pentagon's stance on abortion.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti was picked by the 46th president in a move that goes against the recommendation of his Pentagon chief, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. She has not yet been confirmed.
Despite this, Admiral Franchetti was reportedly considered by insiders to be the top choice for the job and the replacement for the retiring Admiral Michael Gilday. She is the current vice chief of operations for the Navy and has previously led the US 6th Fleet and US Naval Forces Korea.
In a statement on Friday, Biden noted the historical significance of her selection and said"Admiral Franchetti has demonstrated extensive expertise in both the operational and policy arenas" during her long career.
Admiral Franchetti was the second woman ever to be promoted to four-star admiral (AP)But the nomination comes amid a row between the Biden administration and Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama.
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Mr Tuberville's anti-abortion stance means that hundreds of military nominations that need the approval of Congress are being held up.
The Alabama senator objects to the Pentagon's policy of providing paid leave to US service members in the process of having an abortion.
Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Chuck Schumer, has said a vote on the policy could be offered to Mr Tuberville in order for him to remove his block.
In a statement, Mr Biden blasted Tuberville for prioritising his domestic political agenda over military readiness.
"What Senator Tuberville is doing is not only wrong - it is dangerous," Biden said. "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."
Some 200 of President Biden's nominations have been blocked (AP)Mr Austin, meanwhile, said he was"very proud" of the nomination of Admiral Franchetti and said, "she will continue to inspire us all."
The defence secretary recommended that Biden select Admiral Samuel Paparo, the current commander of the Navy's Pacific Fleet, several US officials said last month. Mr Biden is nominating Paparo to lead US Indo-Pacific Command.
A senior administration official said Mr Biden chose Franchetti based on the broad scope of her experience at sea and ashore, including a number of high-level policy and administrative jobs that give her deep knowledge in budgeting and running the department.
At the same time, the official acknowledged that the president understands the historical nature of the nomination and believes that Franchetti will be an inspiration to sailors, both men and women.
The president chose Admiral Franchetti because of her experience, a source said (AP)Mr Paparo, who if confirmed will replace Admiral John Aquilino, is a naval aviator and a TOPGUN graduate with more than 6,000 flight hours in Navy fighter jets and 1,100 landings on aircraft carriers. A Pennsylvania native, he graduated from Villanova University and was commissioned into the Navy in 1987.
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Prior to his Pacific tour, he was commander of naval forces in the Middle East, based in Bahrain, and also previously served as director of operations at US Central Command in Florida.
Mr Biden also said he will nominate Vice Admiral James Kilby to be the vice chief of the Navy and tap Vice Admiral Stephen Koehler to head the Pacific Fleet.
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