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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), during a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, questioned Admiral Lisa Franchetti, who was nominated to be Chief of Naval Operations. If confirmed, Admiral Franchetti will be the first woman to serve as the Chief of Naval Operations and the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Senator Cramer first highlighted the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS), as well as his appreciation for Admiral Franchetti’s comments regarding the National Call to Service.

“The National Call to Service isn't just the military, it's the entire value chain. How do all of our geopolitical friends and alliances actually add more value than just 1.2 to 2.2 Virginia-class subs? […] I think particularly in the workforce piece of it, you had some pretty profound things to say about how we can perhaps give it our best, to step things up so we're meeting our needs as well as the needs of our allies,” said Senator Cramer.

“I am focused on building relationships with all of our allies and partners. They’re a strategic advantage. The more we can work with them and share information, build interoperability, the stronger our nation and our Navy and all of our militaries will be. AUKUS is a particularly great once in a generation opportunity to knit together these three really capable allies who we already work with moving forward. As we look to the National Call of Service, […] we really do need to get our people out and about to have a conversation with America, about everything the Navy can offer them and focusing on our enduring mission of sea control, power projection, deterrence, and sealift, as well as maritime security,” responded Admiral Franchetti. “I think that excites people about what we do, and we’ll be able to bring people not only into the Navy, but into our defense industrial base where we also need capability to maintain and deliver our submarines. We've got lots of opportunities to get out there into the high schools and middle schools with STEM programs, Sea Perch, or RoboSub. […] I think people getting excited about national defense will help us not only for the military, but also for the nation.”

“Well, I do come from the center of the North American continent, literally, we have a monument to prove it. There are many patriotic sailors from North Dakota, including some admirals and whatnot, but I appreciate what you're saying, and I want to help advocate and facilitate that even in the middle of the continent,” said Senator Cramer.

Senator Cramer then asked Admiral Franchetti about the Republican Party’s support for the armed forces.

“I'm sorry so many of my colleagues want to drag uniformed officers into their political fights, and I'm sorry that had to happen to you a little bit ago, but Senator Warren said it is clear Republicans don't care about our servicemen and women and their families; it's clear that we don't care about our adversaries and their allies. Do you believe that Republicans don't care about you and your families?” asked Senator Cramer.

“As a member of the military, I believe that everyone in Congress supports everyone in our military. As I said in my opening statement, I thank everyone for their support to our Navy sailors, our families, and our civilians,” said Admiral Franchetti.

Senator Cramer concluded by addressing the Department of Defense facilitating abortions for service members, a policy which led to a hold on multiple military nominations.

“Is it your understanding if Secretary Austin were to lift or rescind the rule, to have the military pay for access to abortions, that Senator Tuberville would lift his hold and we can we can go back to unanimous consent confirmations? Is that your understanding if one person, the Secretary of Defense, would rescind that order, we'd be getting exactly what our Democratic friends say they want?”asked Senator Cramer.

“I don't want to speak for Senator Tuberville or any other member of this committee, so I do not know what that outcome would be,” responded Admiral Franchetti.

“Okay, that's fair enough. It's my understanding that would do it. One person, Secretary Austin, come on, do the right thing,” concluded Senator Cramer.