Party of No Blocks Juan Garcia Appointment

by: Matt Glazer

Thu Aug 20, 2009 at 10:21 AM CDT

With so many from around the country inquiring,
Juan and Denise asked me to send out a note with an update on his nomination. After his July 30 hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, his nomination was reported out of the Committee favorably.

However, just before he was voted on by the full Senate, and just prior to the congressional summer recess, two Senators put a hold on Defense and Justice nominees due to an unrelated issue involving the Guantanamo detainees (see story link below). We anticipate a full vote when the Senate reconvenes after the Labor Day weekend.

Thanks for your support, and enjoy the final days of summer.

Sens. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts, both Republicans are blocking Juan Garcia's nomination for political reasons.  

At the heart of the Republican opposition is what will happen to Guantanamo Bay detainees and their possible relocation to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.

According to a Corpus Christi report:

The two senators want a briefing from Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Attorney General Eric Holder. They want to know the feasibility of holding the detainees at Leavenworth and the impact it would have on current operations and community safety.

Administration officials said Fort Leavenworth is under consideration because it already is a hardened high-security facility that could be further protected by the surrounding military base, according to the AP.

The confirmation process was going smoothly because of Garcia's bipartisan support. Both Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Senate leader John Cornyn, both Republicans, said publicly that Garcia he is a great fit for the appointment.

Further proof Cornyn can't lead his own caucus.

Brownback has gone on the record saying, "If we're not going to get any cooperation, we're not going to give any cooperation. We're going to hold these up until we get the answers that we need."

The Party of no continues to stop, block, and prevent legislation and appointments in Washington.

Juan Garcia Confirmed by Senate Armed Service Committee

by: Matt Glazer

Wed Aug 05, 2009 at 04:33 PM CDT

Garica served in the Texas House in 2007 and lost a narrow, expensive election in 2008. Garcia was one of the first elected officials to endorse President Barrack Obama in Texas and is a decorated member of the armed services.

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie had released this statement today:

We congratulate Juan Garcia on his confirmation as Assistant Secretary of the Navy by the Senate Armed Services Committee. When the United States Senate takes its official floor vote on the nomination, we are confident they will vote to confirm this highly qualified nominee with overwhelming support.

"As a former State Representative for House District 32, Juan Garcia proudly served his constituents.  Now Texans across our state can be proud that our fellow Texan, who has also served his country abroad as a U.S. Naval Aviator, will have this opportunity to use his considerable talents to serve all Americans.  The Texas Democratic Party proudly supports President Obama's nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Juan Garcia."

Juan Garcia received his "Wings of Gold" from the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. He has served as a top aide to the deputy Commander in Chief of the U.S. Navy in Europe and also served in Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia. He has been awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Naval Commendation Medal, and the Naval Achievement Medal.

We are excited to see this confirmation moving forward and congratulate the Garcia family.  

Juan Garcia as Possible Secretary of the Navy

by: Matt Glazer

Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 00:09 PM CST

The letter is signed by all 12 Congressional Democrats, including Waco Congressman Chet Edwards, who turned down a position as VA secretary.

Juan Garcia  is a commanding officer in the reserve squadron at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, and has served his country admirably abroad as a U.S. naval aviator.

According to Brooks, "The Navy Secretary is only one of seven in the Dept. of the Navy that must be confirmed by the Senate (there are 45 total in the Dept. of Defense)."

Juan Garcia won a tough race in 2006 and lost re-election this November in a close election.