Marc Selinger
Defense Daily
The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved by voice vote June 28 the nomination of former Boeing executive Patrick Shanahan to be deputy secretary of defense.
The committee’s action came after Shanahan submitted 10 pages of revised answers to the panel’s “advance policy questions.” At his June 20 confirmation, Shanahan drew fire from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the committee chairman, for some of his initial responses.
For example, in his original submission, Shanahan said he would have to look into whether the United States should arm Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons to counter Russian aggression. McCain, who supports such aid, called that statement “disappointing” and “disturbing.”
In Shanahan’s revised document, he wrote, “I support lethal defensive security assistance to Ukraine. The United States must do more to counter Russia’s aggressive behavior and support the people of Ukraine.”
Shanahan also extended his comments to a question on how the United States should press Russia to return to compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, or safeguard U.S. national security if it cannot bring Moscow back to the accord.
Washington has determined that Moscow has deployed a ground-based cruise missile with a flight range within the 500-kilometer to 5,500-kilomer distance prohibited by the treaty.
“I do not believe that the United States should continue to constrain ourselves from taking steps that we have every right to do,” Shanahan wrote. “Indeed, such actions could generate diplomatic leverage for the United States and put pressure on Russia to return to compliance. However, if diplomatic means to reestablish Russian adherence to the treaty fail, the United States should be prepared to withdraw from the treaty.”
Shanahan’s nomination now heads to the full Senate for its consideration.
