What is the position of the Honorable John Phelan?

The Honorable John Phelan holds the position of U.S. Secretary of the Navy, which is responsible for the administration, staffing, and operation of the Navy and Marine Corps. This role includes overseeing budgets, making high-level decisions regarding force management, and establishing policy for naval operations.

The importance of the position of Secretary of the Navy lies in its critical role in national defense and military readiness, as it directly influences naval strategy and the welfare of personnel. The Secretary serves as a key advisor to the President and the Secretary of Defense on naval matters, and is instrumental in shaping the Navy's mission to protect the United States and its interests at sea.

In contrast, the other listed positions—Secretary of State, Secretary of War, and Speaker of the House—carry different responsibilities and areas of focus that do not pertain specifically to naval affairs. The Secretary of State deals primarily with foreign relations, the Secretary of War (historically, now called the Secretary of Defense) oversees all branches of the military, and the Speaker of the House leads the House of Representatives and is involved in legislative matters.