The Senate on Thursday confirmed Adm. Michael Gilday to be the next chief of naval operations.

Gilday was confirmed by voice vote as the Senate wrapped up work before its August recess.

The confirmation came a day after Gilday’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and hours after the committee advanced Gilday by voice vote.

ADVERTISEMENT

Gilday was President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE’s second choice to be the top admiral in the Navy.

Trump’s first choice for the job, Adm. Bill Moran, was confirmed by the Senate in May, but instead of assuming the job, abruptly retired last month after it was revealed he maintained a professional relationship with someone who had been reprimanded.

Officials said Moran’s decision to maintain a relationship with the officer called into question Moran’s judgment.

Gilday will replace Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, who is set to retire.

Gilday is currently serving as director of the Joint Staff. He previously commanded U.S. 10th Fleet and Fleet Cyber Command.

At his genial confirmation hearing, Gilday talked to senators about U.S. plans for a naval coalition to protect commercial ships in the Gulf region amid tensions with Iran. He said the U.S. proposal would see foreign partners and allies do the bulk of the work, with the United States providing intelligence.

The Senate’s confirmation of Gilday is the latest in a series of swift votes to fill several high-ranking vacancies at the Pentagon.

Last week, the Senate confirmed Defense Secretary Mark Esper Mark EsperOvernight Defense: Stopgap spending measure awaits Senate vote | Trump nominates former Nunes aide for intelligence community watchdog | Trump extends ban on racial discrimination training to contractors, military Overnight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Official: Pentagon has started 'prudent planning' for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May MORE and Gen. Mark Milley, who will become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

On Tuesday night, the Senate confirmed Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist.

On Wednesday, the Senate Armed Services Committee also advanced Gen. John Hyten’s nomination to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in a 20-7 vote despite continuing controversy stemming from sexual assault allegations against him. But the full Senate is not expected to vote on Hyten until after recess.