Mabus Gets Nod from Senate Panel for Navy Post

Washington, DC, May 15, 2009--Former Foamex CEO and Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus moved a step closer to being named secretary of the Navy after a Senate panel approved his nomination Thursday.

The vote by the Armed Services Committee sets the stage for a vote in the full Senate in upcoming weeks.

President Barack Obama nominated Mabus in March.

Mabus, 60, would replace Donald Winter in the civilian post that helps set policies for the Navy and Marines.

He would oversee a department with a $125 billion budget and 900,000 workers.

His duties would include recruiting, training and mobilizing, as well as construction and repairs of Navy ships and facilities.

"One of the most important things is gaining control of an acquisition process which, far too often, over-promises and under-prices; breaks, sometimes spectacularly, budgets and schedules; ups requirements while lowering quantities; and resists accountability," Mabus said.