Senate approves Joint Chiefs chairman Dempsey for 2nd term WASHINGTON - The Senate has approved the nomination of Army Gen. Martin Dempsey for another two-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Senate voice vote on Thursday came as lawmakers prepared to leave Washington for the August summer recess. They also approved the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Adm. James Winnefeld. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona had threatened to block Dempsey's nomination until he received additional information on Syria. Dempsey responded to the request, clearing the way for a vote.