The Senate Armed Services Committee convened a hearing to assess the nomination of Dan Driscoll for Secretary of the Army. Nominated by President Donald Trump in December, Driscoll is a businessman and Army veteran with a Yale Law degree.
As Secretary, Driscoll would oversee all aspects of the U.S. Army, including personnel management, equipment maintenance, construction projects, and property acquisition. The Army Corps of Engineers reports directly to this position.
Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) questioned Driscoll about delays in establishing the Western Water Cooperative Committee (WWCC), as required by the 2022 Water Resources Development Act. This committee aims to align USACE policies with state water laws in North Dakota and other Western states.
Despite legislative approval in December 2022 and subsequent funding, the WWCC has yet to be formed. Cramer noted that its charter is currently under review by the Department of Defense's Advisory Committee Management Office and should be approved within 30 days before returning to the Army for further action.
Cramer expressed frustration: “It’s a law! It's been approved by the only people that matter, the people in Congress and the President of the United States,” adding that waiting an additional 30 days seems excessive.
Driscoll assured Cramer he would prioritize this issue: “Unequivocally, Senator,” he said. “I intend to work with this committee and follow the law.”
As chair of various subcommittees focused on defense modernization, Cramer emphasized speeding up weapons development and procurement processes within the Department of Defense. He stated: “We just have to go faster... If people go faster and innovate more... I promise not to be the person that sits up here and says, ‘I gotcha’ when something bad happens."
Cramer's remarks highlight ongoing efforts toward reforming military acquisition practices amid global competitive pressures.
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