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Obama withdraws controversial Navy nomination

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Jo Ann Rooney

NOVEMBER 13, 2014 — President Barack Obama yesterday withdrew his nomination of Jo Ann Rooney to be Under Secretary of the Navy in succession to Robert O. Work.

Dr. Rooney is currently Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

Her chances of Senate confirmation as the Navy’s No.2 civilian have been dismal since she submitted written testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee over a year ago that spurred a controversy over her stance on sexual assault in the military.

Her view on a provision by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to remove decisions to prosecute allegations of sexual assault in the military from the chain of command raised eyebrows by saying, in part, “a judge advocate outside the chain of command will be looking at a case through a different lens than a military commander. I believe the impact would be decisions based on evidence rather that the interest in preserving good order and discipline.”

Read her testimony HERE


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