Former Mississippi Governor Ray Mabus Confirmed as U.S. Navy Secretary

Mississippi’s Ray Mabus starts his first day as Secretary of the US Navy today. He'll take over at time when money is tight. Republicans and Democrats say they have full confidence in the former Governor. Sara Sciammacco reports from Washington.

When it came time to confirm Mabus the Senators on both sides threw their support behind him. Republican Senator Thad Cochran says Mabus’ education, integrity and judgment make him ideal.

COCHRAN: “He is very bright and talented and I think he’ll do a good job.”

As Secretary, Mabus will manage Navy personnel, as well as construction of ships, some of which are built in Mississippi. Maren Leed of the Center for Strategic and International Studies say Mabus has his work cut out. Budget shortfalls have strained resources.

LEED: “Getting the right balance between Secretary Gate’s imperative to win today’s wars without sacrificing protection against a broader set of threats is a huge intellectual challenge huge management challenge not as much when there is a lot of money and much harder as we shrink the budget.”

Mabus is a former Navy officer and ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Alabama Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss says Mabus knows how to lead and manage.

CHAMBLISS: “Just by virtue of the fact he was a governor and had toi make those tough administrative decisions at a time of tough budgets and now will be in the defense department during tough budget times.”

During his confirmation hearing, Mabus promised tp work hard to control costs.

MABUS: “I look forward to members of this committee to make sure we don’t shortchange our sailors, marines and taxpayers because of an out of control process.

Republican Senator Roger Wicker also supported Mabus for the position.

From Capitol News Connection I’m Sara Sciammacco M-P-B News