WASHINGTON — The Army’s decision to allow people with a history of self-mutilation, bipolar disorder, depression and drug and alcohol abuse to seek waivers to enlist in the service drew a sharp, bipartisan rebuke on Tuesday when Sen. John McCain said he was prepared to put a hold on nominations to Pentagon posts until the Army explained the policy.

McCain, the Arizona Republican who chairs the Armed Services Committee, upbraided the nominee for Army general counsel, James McPherson, saying he and the committee members learned about the change in policy in a report by USA TODAY on Monday.

“If you took a poll of this committee right now I doubt if you’d find a single one who would be approving of this practice, which we now find out about reading the daily newspaper,” McCain said. 

Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the committee from Rhode Island, said he concurred with McCain’s concerns.

Read more at usatoday.com.

Sen. John McCain. (AP file)