Phelan Confirmed as Navy Secretary

The Senate voted 62-30 on Monday to confirm John Phelan as the new Navy secretary, despite concerns over his lack of military experience. Phelan, a businessman and investment banker, will lead the Navy and Marine Corps, overseeing the health and well-being of over 1 million personnel and a budget of over $250 billion.

Phelan's confirmation was supported by 51 Republicans and 11 Democrats, including Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Sen. Jack Reed. During his confirmation hearing, Phelan emphasized his business experience as an asset in addressing the Navy's long-standing issues with shipbuilding and budget management.

Phelan's professional background includes serving as chairman of Rugger Management LLC and co-founding MSD Capital, the private investment firm for Michael Dell. He was also a major donor to President Donald Trump and Republicans in the 2024 elections.

Some Democrats raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to Phelan's financial investments in defense contractors. Sen. Elizabeth Warren urged Phelan to make stronger divestments and recusal commitments. However, others expressed optimism that Phelan's business experience could help the Navy address its shipbuilding programs, which have run years over schedule and billions of dollars over budget.

"You're a nontraditional appointee for this position, and that can be OK if the tradition is not working," Sen. Tim Kaine said at the hearing.