The Senate approved Eric Fanning to lead the Army on Tuesday, giving the military branch its first openly gay secretary.

The Senate confirmed Fanning by unanimous consent after his nomination had been held in limbo for months because of a fight over the Guantánamo Bay detention center.

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The Pentagon previously sent teams to Kansas to examine potential alternatives for housing Guantánamo Bay detainees.

"My issue has never — let me be very clear — has never been with Mr. Fanning's character, his courage or his capability," Roberts said Tuesday. "He will be a tremendous leader as Army secretary."

McCain thanked Roberts for lifting his hold and praised his work on the Senate's National Defense Authorization Act, which largely holds the line on current Guantánamo Bay restrictions.

"These provisions confirm that President Obama will not be able to move detainees to the mainland ... in the coming year," McCain said.

The Arizona Republican has said that legislation could reach the Senate floor as soon as next week.