Senate panel approves Marine general for Joint Chiefs chair

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The Associated Press

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford, Jr., testifies during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing to become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 9, 2015. Dunford says the U.S. and its coalition partners are making moderate progress in the fight against the Islamic State extremist group but that the strategy should be re-evaluated if efforts to improve governance and build reliable local ground forces stall. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

WASHINGTON — The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved the nomination of Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The panel approved President Obama’s pick by voice vote Thursday. Now the nomination goes to the full Senate.

If he’s confirmed, Dunford will replace Army Gen. Martin Dempsey. The Senate could vote before lawmakers break for their August recess.

The panel also approved Gen. Paul Selva to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs and Gen. Darren McDew to be commander of the U.S. Transportation Command.

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The Associated Press