With the Senate now under Republican control, the leadership of its Appropriations Committee has announced a reshuffle of its powerful subcommittee chairs. “I am optimistic about working with this team and appreciative of the leadership they will provide the committee,” said Chairman Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). Cochran, who served as ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense panel in the 113th Congress, now also holds the SAC-D chairmanship in addition to chairing the full committee, taking over from Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.). Cochran also announced chairs for other subcommittees, to include Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) who now chairs the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies panel.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
