In a dramatic ceremony marked by celebratory fireworks over the Capitol, the U.S. Senate has cast a decisive vote—62 to 30—in favor of John Phelan’s confirmation as the next Secretary of the Navy. This bold, bipartisan decision comes at a critical juncture for the Navy, which has struggled for years with issues ranging from ballooning costs and stalled shipbuilding projects to failed audits and workforce challenges. Phelan, a seasoned Florida businessman with an extensive background in finance and private equity, now stands poised to lead sweeping reforms aimed at modernizing and streamlining one of America’s most vital defense institutions.