Zach Nunn: “I believe that statement has already been alluded to by my friend from Indiana. Commander Stumpf had a distinguished…”

“I believe that statement has already been alluded to by my friend from Indiana. Commander Stumpf had a distinguished military record, including decorated combat service. That record was considered strongly by the committee in the review of his promotion. The Navy also provided the committee with information, subsequent to his confirmation by the Senate, which raised issues about Commander Stumpf's qualifications for promotion to a higher grade. As with almost any nomination involving such information, factual information, reasonable people can disagree on whether the information considered by the committee disqualified Commander Stumpf for promotion. I respect my colleagues, and others, who come to a different conclusion than I. The significance of the committee's statement that has just been printed in the Record is that both those who support Commander Stumpf's promotion and those who do not support his promotion have agreed that the Armed Services Committee, quoting the committee, "* * * acted in good faith and in accordance with established rules and procedures, including procedures designed to protect the privacy and reputation of nominees, with appropriate regard for the rights of Commander Stumpf." That was a unanimous statement of the Armed Services Committee.”