The Senate has confirmed Jules “Jay” Hurst III to serve as the comptroller for the Pentagon. This decision followed a period of about 18 months without a confirmed Chief Financial Officer for the department.
Hurst, who previously acted as the Pentagon’s controller from August to May, was confirmed through a straight party-line vote of 51-47. As the new comptroller, Hurst, a former Army officer, will manage the Pentagon’s budgets and spending plans. This comes as the Trump administration works to secure Congressional approval for a $1.5 trillion defense budget.
With multiple deployments to Afghanistan as an intelligence officer, Hurst has also served as assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs, and undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. His prior roles include legislative director and defense advisor to Speaker Mike Johnson.
In May, Hurst provided an updated estimate of the financial cost of the Iran war, which stood around $29 billion. Later, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth communicated a revised estimate of $37.5 billion to senators.
During the same session, Erich Hernandez-Baquero was confirmed as the Air Force’s assistant secretary for space acquisition and integration.
Essential Developments in Defense and National Security
Recently, the U.S. Army removed a top general from command over European forces. Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, formerly commanding general of the Army’s V Corps, was relieved from his duties nearly two months before his expected transition.
Furthermore, the Senate approved a bipartisan bill to increase sanctions on Russia and its top five oil consumers. This legislation also extends existing sanctions on Iran.
Additional reports indicate that there has been no leak of white phosphorus at a U.S. military base in South Korea, despite initial evacuation orders from local authorities.