Senators plan path for confirmation of Navy civilian leader

Senate Armed Services Chairman John Warner, R-Va., and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld have devised a strategy to allow Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England to vacate his Navy secretary position, clearing the way for Donald Winter's confirmation as the Navy's new civilian leader -- which the Senate agreed to by unanimous consent Thursday.

Sens. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and Trent Lott, R-Miss., have placed holds on England's nomination because of concerns about the Navy's dwindling shipbuilding budgets. Until now, England has had to keep his official title as Navy secretary to serve as acting deputy secretary, leaving Winter's nomination in limbo.

After several discussions, Warner and Rumsfeld have settled on a legal way to bypass that requirement.

Warner assured Senate Armed Services ranking member Carl Levin, D-Mich., that England's unusual promotion track will not set a precedent for future confirmations. Warner also said he believes President Bush will make a recess appointment of England to the deputy Defense secretary post within the next 120 days.

Winter's nomination initially drew conflict-of-interest questions stemming from his background as a Northrop Grumman executive, but those concerns were laid to rest during his confirmation hearing.