The Senate on Tuesday approved Gen. Joshua Rudd to serve as head of both U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, finally filling a critical military position that has remained vacant since last April.
The Senate approved Rudd by a vote of 71-29, with some Democratic lawmakers objecting to his lack of cyber experience. Rudd was elevated to the rank of general as part of the vote.
He will serve as the first Senate-confirmed leader since President Donald Trump fired Gen. Timothy Haugh from the position last April. Lt. Gen. William Hartman has been acting head since and plans to retire once Rudd is sworn in.
Trump nominated Rudd to serve in the dual hat position in December. Rudd previously served as deputy commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and has decades of military experience, though none in cybersecurity leadership positions.
