Before concluding the confirmation hearing, Committee Chairman Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) said he is urging the rest of the Senate to proceed with an up or down vote on the nomination. “I have the feeling … it will be up,” he added before dropping the gavel.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3