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Cao needs special waiver from Congress to become Navy secretary
President Donald Trump nominated Hung Cao to serve permanently as secretary of the Navy after Cao had acted in the role since John Phelan’s departure in April. Senate confirmation alone would not be sufficient because federal law generally requires former officers to have been retired from active duty for seven years before becoming a service secretary. Cao retired only five years ago, so Congress would need to approve a special waiver. The nomination therefore remains contingent on both legislative exemption and confirmation, despite his current acting responsibilities.