Tester Urges Vote on Trump Nominee from Montana

Senator Backs Columbia Falls Native to Help Transitioning Servicemembers

(U.S. Senate) – After 210 days of waiting for a confirmation vote, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to immediately schedule a vote on Anthony Kurta, President Trump’s nominee to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

If confirmed, Kurta will be responsible for making sure America’s troops have the support, equipment, and resources needed to keep the nation safe. The position also works closely with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to ensure servicemembers have a smooth transition when they leave the military.

“Mr. Kurta’s nomination continues to languish at a time when the Office of Personnel and Readiness needs proven and permanent senior leadership to more ably carry out the critical mission for which it has been entrusted,” Tester wrote to McConnell. “I urge the Senate to move forward as expeditiously as possible on the Kurta nomination. It is the least we can do for our men and women in uniform, their families, and our nation’s veterans.”

The Senate Armed Services Committee overwhelmingly approved Kurta on November 16, 2017, but his nomination has yet to come before the full Senate for a confirmation vote.

Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined Defense Secretary James Mattis in calling for McConnell to vote on the nomination.

Since January 2009, the Defense Department has had nine Under Secretaries of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

The Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness is responsible for force readiness and training, personnel and logistics management, family support programs, collaboration between the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs, and resiliency programs such as sexual assault prevention and response and suicide prevention efforts.

Kurta hails from Columbia Falls, Montana, and is a Naval Academy graduate who served 32 years as an active duty Naval Surface Warfare Officer before retiring at the rank of Rear Admiral. Tester met personally with Kurta to review his qualifications and ask him tough questions.

Tester’s letter is available online HERE.