One Anti-Gay GOP Senator Had Held Up Confirmation Vote

The U.S. Senate in a unanimous and historic vote has just confirmed Eric Fanning to be the next Secretary of the Army. Fanning, whose extensive resume makes him among the most qualified ever nominated, has been waiting 242 days since President Barack Obama first nominated him to the role. One anti-gay Republican Senator, Pat Roberts, was able to block the confirmation vote by a parliamentary tactic, but he released his hold and Fanning was confirmed.

.@SenPatRoberts just lifted his hold on nomination of Eric Fanning to be Army Secretary, and the Senate just confirmed him. @CQnow â€” Kellie Mejdrich (@kelmej) May 17, 2016

HISTORIC: Eric Fanning confirmed as Army Secretary. A demonstration of continued progress toward fairness & equality in U.S. armed forces. â€” Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) May 17, 2016

Fanning becomes the first openly gay Army SecretaryÂ and the highest-ranking openly-LGBT military official in U.S. history.

BREAKING: Eric Fanning unanimously confirmed as Army Secretary in voice vote. He is now the highest ranking LGBT official in history! â€” Victory Fund (@VictoryFund) May 17, 2016

Great outcome on “International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia,” congrats Eric Fanning! #IDAHOT2016 https://t.co/v5W7I9hdCC â€” Ryan Kaminski (@rykaminski) May 17, 2016

Roberts had vowed to hold up Fanning’s confirmation vote until the end of Obama’s presidency.

UPDATE I: 5:35 PM EDTÂ â€“

Via The Huffington Post:

Senator Pat Roberts “said he personally called Fanning earlier in the day to tell him he was planning to let him through.”

â€œMy issue has never been with Mr. Fanningâ€™s character, his courage or his capability,â€ Roberts said on the Senate floor. â€œHe will be a tremendous leader.â€

UPDATE II: 5:37 PM EDT â€“

It’s important to note Fanning’s qualifications:Â Until today’s vote he was theÂ ActingÂ Under Secretary of the ArmyÂ and Chief Management Officer, and hasÂ previously served asÂ Chief of StaffÂ of theÂ Department of Defense, ActingÂ Secretary of the Air Force, andÂ Deputy Under SecretaryÂ of the Navy, among other roles.

In September, Mike Huckabee saidÂ Fanning was unqualified because he is openly gay, and a civilian, and chosen for those reasons. Huckabee clearly was unaware that theÂ Secretary of the Army isÂ a civilian position often held by someone who has never served in the military.Â “Homosexuality is not a job qualification,”Â Huckabee said. HisÂ comments led his supporters to call for Pres. Obama to be tried for treason.

Â

Â

This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.