The Senate on Tuesday night unanimously confirmed by voice vote Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh to head both the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) after a months-long blockade to his and other Pentagon nominations.
Haugh will take over the reins of both organizations from Gen. Paul Nakasone, who announced his retirement plans earlier this year after President Biden’s nomination of Haugh. Nakasone, the longest-serving leader of CYBERCOM, has led both organizations since 2018.
The confirmation of Haugh for the dual-hat leadership role on Dec. 19 comes after 10 months of deadlock on his nomination and hundreds of other leadership positions at the Pentagon due to a hold by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., in protest over an abortion travel policy for U.S. military personnel.
Haugh has a long history at CYBERCOM – serving as the deputy commander since August 2022 – and previously led the Air Force’s digital and information warfare branch. He will now receive his fourth star several months after he sailed through his confirmation hearings before the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services committees.
Sen. Tuberville’s white flag follows months of pressure and growing frustration from his GOP colleagues, as the number of military promotions that were blocked had ballooned to over 400. Hundreds of promotions for senior military officers were confirmed by the Senate on Dec. 5. Last night, 11 nominees for four-star positions were confirmed by voice vote.
Haugh’s confirmation will now allow both CYBERCOM and NSA to make additional leadership changes, including within the intelligence agency cybersecurity directorate.
