The House and Senate on Thursday held back-to-back votes approving a special waiver to allow Lloyd J. Austin III, a retired four-star Army general, to serve as secretary of defense even though he has not been out of uniform for the required seven years.
The House and Senate on Thursday held back-to-back votes approving a special waiver to allow Lloyd J. Austin III, a retired four-star Army general, to serve as secretary of defense even though he has not been out of uniform for the required seven years.
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transcript
Congress Grants Waiver for Austin to Serve as Secretary of Defense
The House and Senate on Thursday held back-to-back votes approving a special waiver to allow Lloyd J. Austin III, a retired four-star Army general, to serve as secretary of defense even though he has not been out of uniform for the required seven years.
“We have an enormous problem right now with white supremacy. We also have a problem within our military ranks. Now, let me be perfectly clear: I have 100 percent confidence in our military, but this is an issue that they do need to address, is the rise of white supremacy and white nationalism within their ranks. Having a highly qualified African-American be secretary of defense will be an enormous step towards addressing that problem.” “There is a strong pool of diverse civilians and former military leaders with qualifications and experience to serve as secretary. President Biden could have selected from this talent pool, but he chose not to. I voted for the waiver for General Mattis, and I will vote for the waiver for General Austin. For me, it’s just fair: a waiver for a Republican president and a waiver for a Democrat president.” “And I think the president has chosen well, and I urge my colleagues to grant this waiver. This, I would add, is not confirmation. Our brothers and sisters in the United States Senate will still have to judge and give advice and consent to this appointment, but this waiver is a precondition to them considering it on the merits.” “On this vote, on this vote, the yeas are 326, the nays are 78. The bill is passed.” “On this vote, the yeas are 69, the nays are 27. The 60-vote threshold having been achieved, the bill is passed.”
Congress Grants Waiver for Austin to Serve as Secretary of Defense
The House and Senate on Thursday held back-to-back votes approving a special waiver to allow Lloyd J. Austin III, a retired four-star Army general, to serve as secretary of defense even though he has not been out of uniform for the required seven years.
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