Senate Confirms John Phelan as Secretary of the Navy

The U.S. Senate has confirmed John Phelan as the new Secretary of the Navy with a 62–30 vote. A successful businessman with no military background, Phelan gained bipartisan support for his financial expertise and commitment to reform.

Facing challenges like budget overruns, delayed shipbuilding, and audit failures, the Navy is seen as needing a fresh approach. Phelan, founder of investment firm Rugger Management and former partner at MSD Capital, plans to apply private-sector strategies to increase efficiency, accountability, and transparency.

At his confirmation hearing, Phelan promised immediate reviews of Navy contracts and audits, with an emphasis on fixing shipbuilding delays and improving infrastructure and service member conditions. He acknowledged the Navy’s systemic issues and pledged results-driven leadership.

Though some criticized his lack of military experience, many lawmakers saw his outsider status as an advantage. His confirmation signals a shift toward business-minded leadership in defense and marks a potential turning point for modernizing Navy operations and restoring public trust.