WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Robert Salesses will serve as acting defense secretary until President Donald Trump’s choice for the position, Pete Hegseth, is confirmed by the Senate, two U.S. officials said on Monday.
Salesses is deputy director of the Washington Headquarters Services, which is focused on human resources, facilities and resource management within the Pentagon.
Hegseth could face a vote by the Senate Armed Services Committee as early as Monday. If he passes through, he would face a vote by the full Senate, though the timing for that is unclear.
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Last week, Hegseth endured fierce Democratic grilling over everything from his inexperience, alleged drinking and his past opposition to women in combat, to emerge largely unscathed among Republicans at his confirmation hearing.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and decorated veteran, is one of the most controversial figures ever nominated to be secretary of defense, and any vote to confirm him is expected to be close.
But he weathered the four-hour hearing without making a major gaffe that might have alienated Republicans and won critical backing from Republican Senator Joni Ernst, who holds sway in her party.
(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; editing by Diane Craft and Rod Nickel)
