WASHINGTON — Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain is signaling that final confirmation of Ashton Carter as defense secretary could come later than expected. And he is making clear he wants to review the Navy’s plans for its shallow-water combatant.
“I would want to do that [budget] hearing while Hagel is still defense secretary,” the Arizona Republican told reporters Wednesday. “It really is the budget that he’s putting together, not Carter.”
When President Barack Obama last month announced Carter as his nominee, lawmakers and aides speculated he could be on the job by the end of January. But the newly seated chairman wants outgoing Defense Se
cretary Chuck Hagel to appear before the panel next month to explain the Pentagon’s 2016 budget request.
Carter’s confirmation hearing already has been pushed back from initial hopes of a January grilling by SASC members.
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McCain told reporters Tuesday that Carter says he will not be physically ready for the hearing until the first week in February because he is recovering from back surgery. The budget request is due on Capitol Hill that same week.
Hagel likely would appear before all four congressional defense committees to testify about the spending plan. Based on previous years, that typically takes another two weeks.
McCain said he would like to hold Carter’s confirmation hearing during the same span, possibly setting up a final floor vote before February ends.
After finishing up with reporters, McCain headed was heading to a phone.
“I’m glad you mentioned it because I have to go call him and ask him if that’s all right with him,” he told CongressWatch.
Additionally, the SASC chairman remained mostly vague when asked about the Navy’s plans to alter course on its Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program.
“It is a program that has been in trouble from its beginning, and had significant cost overruns,” he said. “And it will be the subject of significant scrutiny and oversight in the coming year.”
Asked if he expects the Navy to seek funds beyond previous LCS plans to make the changes, McCain replied sarcastically: “Of course. Doesn’t it always?”
The Navy in mid-December announced it plans to convert the littoral combat ship into a small surface combat ship, a change that will require a number of upgrades and changes.
McCain for years has been outspoken about the LCS program, often hammering service and Pentagon leaders about its design and cost issues. Some proponents said believe the veteran senator has, more recently, resisted acknowledging the program’s progress.
Email: jbennett@gannett.com
Twitter: @bennettjohnt
