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Summary
US Senator Jim Webb is threatening to freeze high level US defence department promotions and hiring in a dispute over plans to close a military command in his state.Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat, says he can not get answers about the planned closing despite weeks of asking. Webb wrote to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday, saying he would impose a Senate hold, or freeze, on new nominations until he gets the information. The Senate must approve top civilian and military promotions. Webb opposes plans to close the Joint Forces Command, based around Norfolk. The Pentagon has ordered the closure as part of a cost-cutting plan.
