Navy Secretary John Phelan Secures Senate Approval

The U.S. Senate has given the green light to President Donald Trump’s pick for the next Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, a financier known for his political contributions and passion for art. With a vote tally of 62-30, he managed to win over several senators from across the aisle.

While Phelan doesn’t have any direct experience with military operations, his confirmation hearings revealed that he’s well-versed in key policy matters affecting the Navy.The Senate Armed Services Committee seemed pleased with his approach—he’s open to leveraging insights from experts within his team rather than pretending to be an all-knowing naval authority. He highlighted his strengths in management and leadership while promising to enhance efficiency within the Navy.

“The operational know-how already present in our Navy and Marine Corps is remarkable,” phelan stated during last month’s committee session. “My job will be to harness that knowledge effectively, challenge existing norms, and take bold steps towards achieving tangible results.”

Phelan also expressed a commitment to tackling some of the Navy’s longstanding challenges related to shipbuilding—specifically aiming for cost control and timely delivery of vessels. “I plan on advocating for a more nimble and accountable shipbuilding process by simplifying procurement procedures, increasing budget adaptability, fostering stronger ties with defense contractors, and ensuring they meet their financial commitments,” he explained.