SASC Approves Hyten’s Nomination

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved the nomination of Gen. John Hyten (USAF) to be Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today.  The 20-7 vote comes just one day after Hyten’s nomination hearing where he denied charges of sexual assault leveled by a former subordinate, Army Col. Kathyrn Spletstoser. She continues to make her case publicly that he assaulted her and should not be confirmed.

A SASC spokeswoman declined to say which Senators voted yes or no on the Hyten nomination.  In a statement to SpacePolicyOnline.com, she said the information was “not publicly available.”

A DOD investigation cleared Hyten of Spletstoser’s accusations.  SASC members spent three weeks studying the documents from the investigation and held five executive sessions to discuss the matter and take closed door testimony from Hyten and Spletstoser.

Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ), herself a survivor of sexual assault in the military, spoke for many committee Republicans at the hearing yesterday and absolved Hyten.  “I, too, believe that truth still matters in this country and the full truth was revealed in this process.  The truth is that Gen. Hyten is innocent of these charges.”

Former Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, who was Secretary when the charges were made and ordered the investigation, also appeared at the hearing and defended Hyten: “Gen. Hyten was falsely accused.”

As she and others commented, unfortunately the public is not able to review the records making it difficult to assess the situation.  Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) asked Hyten if he supports making as much information as possible available to the public and Hyten said yes.

Spletstoser spoke with reporters after the hearing, insisting that Hyten was lying and should not be confirmed.  MSNBC and C-SPAN aired some or all of her remarks.  She appeared on the PBS NewsHour this evening to continue making her case.

As of press time, no announcement had been made as to when the Senate will take up the nomination.  The outgoing Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Paul Selva (USAF), retired today.