Overview
- At a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing, Republicans and Democrats criticized the Pentagon policy shop for limited consultation on the National Defense Strategy and a global posture review.
- Lawmakers said they were not adequately informed about key moves, citing the withdrawal of a rotational brigade from Romania, a review of the AUKUS pact, and an earlier pause in some Ukraine assistance.
- Austin Dahmer, nominated to lead strategy at the Pentagon, asserted Congress received three briefings on the Romania decision and that Bucharest was notified in advance, claims senators disputed.
- After the hearing reports, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said the committees were pre-notified of the Romania decision and that briefings were offered this week.
- Senators also flagged an internal overhaul of the policy office and title changes under Elbridge Colby, saying the restructuring and tighter communication controls have complicated oversight.