CNN says Green nomination may be withdrawn; 11 U.S. House Republicans back him

With growing opposition to state Sen. Mark Green’s nomination as U.S. Army secretary and CNN reporting it might be withdrawn, Tennessee’s Republican U.S. House members have come to his support.

From CNN:

Mark Green, Trump’s second pick to be Army secretary, is facing what the sources described as a difficult — if not insurmountable — path to confirmation amid a backlash over his controversial statements on LGBT issues, Islam and evolution.

The sources said that Green’s withdrawal is not finalized, but it’s unlikely he would go forward because “there are questions whether he has enough support from either side of the aisle” to get confirmed, according to one source.

Darren Morris, a political adviser to Green, said the notion he was withdrawing was “completely, absolutely untrue,” and that he’s prepping for the confirmation hearing this week in Washington.

…One source said that Green’s politics were “good for the state Senate in Tennessee, not so much to follow a gay Secretary of the Army that Obama had,” a reference to former President Barack Obama’s last Army Secretary, Eric Fanning, the first openly gay person to serve in that role.

From Michael Collins:

“It is our firm belief that confirmation of Mark E. Green to serve as secretary of the Army will only enhance America’s warfighting capability and build on the mutual trust that exists between soldiers and their leaders,” the group (of 11 House Republicans) wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

From Collins:

The letter, dated May 3, was signed by 11 lawmakers, including all seven House Republicans from Tennessee. Other signers were Reps. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.; Steve Russell, R-Okla.; Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill.; and Trent Franks, R-Ariz

Green, a Republican state senator from Tennessee and a former Army medic, is under fire from advocacy groups for gays and lesbians, Muslims and others over his legislative record and controversial comments he has made in the past.

…McCain, whose committee will be responsible for holding Green’s confirmation hearing, said Tuesday that Green’s comments are “very concerning” and that he would be asked to explain himself before the committee.

In their letter, the House Republicans suggested that Green’s remarks have been politicized and that they should not overshadow his “long record of distinguished accomplishments in defense of the nation.”

“As the confirmation process proceeds, we ask that you give strong consideration to the totality of Mark’s service and his record, while recognizing that, as the case for any service secretary, he would be tasked with overseeing the service consistent with the priorities of the commander-in-chief,” the letter said.