The Senate confirmed R.D. James January 25 to lead the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by a vote of 89-1. The new Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works received very little opposition throughout his nomination and passed both the Armed Services Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee by voice vote in November and December respectively.
James has been a member of the Mississippi River Commission since 1981, which provides engineering direction and policy advice to the Administration, Congress and the Army.