Hirono Meets with Nominee to be Chief of Naval Operations, Condemns Tuberville’s Ongoing Hold on Military Promotions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, met with the Acting Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, President Biden’s nominee to serve as the U.S. Navy’s next top officer. If confirmed, Adm. Franchetti will become the first woman to lead the Navy and the first woman to serve as a permanent member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“Admiral Franchetti is a highly-decorated, accomplished officer with years of proven experience and is well qualified to lead our Navy,” said Senator Hirono. “Throughout her 38 years in the Navy, Admiral Franchetti has served in numerous leadership positions and provided both operational and policy expertise. When confirmed, Admiral Franchetti will make history as the first woman service chief in our nation’s history, and I appreciated the opportunity to meet with her today to discuss the future of the Navy and its operations in the Pacific. Unfortunately, Admiral Franchetti’s promotion is one of hundreds being blocked by Senator Tuberville’s reckless holds on military promotions—holds that are unilaterally degrading our military readiness and weakening our national security. Every day this cowardly stunt continues, our military readiness is further diminished.” 

Adm. Franchetti has served as Acting Chief of Naval Operations since August, following the previous Chief’s retirement. She previously served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations since September 2022. Her confirmation vote has been stalled due to Senator Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) ongoing reckless hold of several hundred General and Flag Officer promotions. In addition to stalling Admiral Franchetti’s confirmation vote, Tuberville’s hold has also prevented the confirmation of the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Army Chief of Staff, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps—four of the eight officers who comprise the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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