UPDATE: In a stunning revelation during his confirmation hearing, Pentagon official Alexander Velez-Green admitted that there has been minimal consultation with the U.S. Senate regarding key defense policies. This admission comes as bipartisan lawmakers express growing frustration over the Pentagon’s disengagement from Congress on critical issues like the National Defense Strategy and the Global Force Posture Review.
During the hearing held on July 12, 2023, Velez-Green, who is in line to become the deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, stated, “I’m not aware that there has been formal consultations with Congress on the national defense strategy.” His comments have ignited urgent discussions among senators, particularly with Senator Roger Wicker, who emphasized that this lack of communication is not how the process is supposed to work.
Senator Wicker criticized the Pentagon’s policy department, suggesting it operates independently of the administration’s goals. “We talk to international partners regularly, and we hear that the Pentagon policy office seems to be acting without coordinating effectively within the U.S. executive branch,” he said. This growing discontent has raised alarms about the Pentagon’s alignment with national priorities.
The confirmation hearing, which took place just days ago, has highlighted a concerning trend of disconnection between the Pentagon and Congress. “Members of this committee are in regular contact with people inside the executive branch,” Wicker added, pointing to a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents.
In response to the backlash, Velez-Green pledged to improve communication with the Senate if confirmed. However, Senator Dan Sullivan remarked that such changes would require a significant shift in mindset at the Pentagon. “The hardest guy to get a hold of in the Trump administration was Colby,” Sullivan noted, referencing current Undersecretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby.
Concerns about the Pentagon’s operational alignment have also surfaced regarding troop withdrawals amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict in June. Senators raised questions about whether the Pentagon’s actions reflect President Biden’s agenda, further intensifying scrutiny on military decision-making.
Moreover, during the hearings, Velez-Green dismissed claims that the Pentagon had paused aid to Ukraine, attributing confusion to “fake news.” However, statements made by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell earlier this year contradicted this assertion, leading to skepticism among lawmakers.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the Pentagon’s response to these criticisms and whether Velez-Green can implement the necessary changes to restore trust with Congress. The stakes are high, and the implications could significantly influence U.S. defense strategies moving forward.
Stay tuned for further updates on this breaking story as it unfolds.
