President Obama last week nominated retired Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz to be undersecretary of energy for nuclear security. In this position, Klotz would also lead the National Nuclear Security Administration, which is charged with maintaining the safety, security, and effectiveness of the US nuclear weapons stockpile. Obama announced his intent to nominate Klotz on Aug. 1; that same day, Klotz’s nomination reached the Senate, according to the Senate’s website. Senators must approve the nomination. Klotz retired from the Air Force in March 2011 after some four decades in uniform. In his final assignment, Klotz led Air Force Global Strike Command for nearly two years; he was the then-newly activated command’s first boss. Before that, he was assistant vice chief of staff. He currently serves as a senior fellow for strategic studies and arms control at the Council on Foreign Relations. If the Senate gives the OK, Klotz would fill the vacant post created with the resignation of Thomas D’Agostino in January. Bruce Held has been the acting undersecretary and acting NNSA administrator.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.