But the tougher challenge for President Barack Obama’s nominee to helm the Pentagon will likely be fielding questions about anything and everything related to Obama’s handling of foreign policyespecially the battle against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
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The Senate Armed Services Committee is scheduled to begin Carter’s nomination hearings Wednesday.
Carter’s confirmation doesn’t appear to be in much doubt, even with Republicans in control of the Senate. He’s well-liked by both parties; he’s made the necessary rounds on Capitol Hill, meeting senators one-on-one since his nomination; and as the Pentagon’s former No. 2 official and a doctorate in physics, he’s seen as plenty qualified.
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What more will the Pentagon do to prevent and punish sexual assault in the military?
Outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has argued that sexual assault cases should be handled within the military’s existing command structure, rather than taken outside it — as many lawmakers have proposed.
Surveys of service members in recent years have found alarming rates of sexual assaults, including rapes, as well as retaliation against service members who reported those assaults. The Pentagon has implemented a number of programs to combat sexual assault — but the problem has persisted. Carter could be grilled about his views on how sexual assault reports should be handled and what else the Defense Department can do.
