General Colin Powell won unanimous approval from the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . He told the panel he has " some level of hope " that reforms might succeed in the Soviet Union , giving the US " time " to reshape our defense programs , our national security policies , and our armed forces . " Echoing praise for Powell, who would be the first black to head the nation's military services, Sen. Albert Gore Jr. (D-Tenn.) called Powell's appointment "one of the finest appointments that our President has made. He warned that changes in Soviet military capabilities , not budget restraints , should accelerate the reforms and called for continual modernization of long - range nuclear weapons . He also said he would make the military 's role in the drug war one of his top priorities .
General Colin Powell won unanimous approval from the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . He told the panel he has " some level of hope " that reforms might succeed in the Soviet Union , giving the US " time " to reshape our defense programs , our national security policies , and our armed forces . He warned that changes in Soviet military capabilities , not budget restraints , should accelerate the reforms and called for continual modernization of long - range nuclear weapons . He also said he would make the military 's role in the drug war one of his top priorities .