Senate panel approves Marine general for Joint Chiefs chair

By

The Associated Press

Gen. Joseph Dunford attends a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee about his nomination to be the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 9, 2015. Dunford is currently Commandant of the Marine Corps.

WASHINGTON — The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved the nomination of Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The panel approved President Obama’s pick by voice vote Thursday. Now the nomination goes to the full Senate.

If he’s confirmed, Dunford will replace Army Gen. Martin Dempsey. The Senate could vote before lawmakers break for their August recess.

The panel also approved Gen. Paul Selva to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs and Gen. Darren McDew to be commander of the U.S. Transportation Command.