Secretary of Defense nominee Lloyd Austin, a recently retired Army general, speaks during his conformation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Washington.
Austin, a 41-year veteran of the Army, has promised to surround himself with qualified civilians and include them in policy decisions. He said he has spent nearly his entire life committed to the principle of civilian control over the military.While the waiver is expected to be approved, the vote puts some Democrats in a position to look like they’ve flip-flopped. Many of them opposed a similar waiver in 2017 for Jim Mattis, former President Donald Trump’s first secretary of defense.
“I will quickly review the department’s contributions to coronavirus relief efforts, ensuring we are doing everything we can — and then some — to help distribute vaccines across the country and to vaccinate our troops and preserve readiness,” he told the Senate Armed Services Committee. Austin said he will insist that the leaders of every military service know that extremist behavior in their ranks is unacceptable.“This is not something we can be passive on,” he said. “This is something I think we have to be active on, and we have to lean into it and make sure that we’re doing the right things to create the right climate.”
This old crook is going to cause a lot of trouble for south Asia, oldy biden and brown vp aren't peace lover
House voted overwhelmingly to pass on the waiver; Senate shortly afterward turned a 69-27 vote in to JoeBiden . Austin is now positioned to be confirmed as Secretary by Friday. Austin has stated he is committed to civilian control of military.
TXFartingsworth Didn't he work for Raytheon (a military contractor)? I think that's the bigger issue, not the 7-year bar.
Imagine if trump did this? Libs would be crying saying he’s trying to win the black vote over
Just what we need more deadbeats running the country I think that’s all the Democratic Party is deadbeats
The military state begins
Another Obama nominee. 🙄 Joe can’t pick anyone for any job that Obama hasn’t previously picked?
Maybe this is how he process of proving the need for changing a rule goes. Follow the rule or change the rule. It’s not like it won’t be heavily vetted and go through due diligence.
This man is coming directly from the Raytheon board of directors. What policies do you think a military contractor will espouse?
🇺🇸👍🏻
What happens to Mike Flynn’s brother who refused help at the Capitol on 1/6?
Raytheon. Of course. CORRUPTION
We're screwed
The Senate has also passed the waiver for Biden Pentagon pick Lloyd Austin, clearing his path to confirmation.
SethAbramson I'm happy this waiver was granted but I do hope it does not become the norm and undermining the intent of the rule.
New wars anybody? jimmy_dore
colleen_benn Excellent news!
_Politics
Make a rule. Break a rule.
Why even have the rule then?
More than happy the DoD boss is a Black man; *hopefully* Caucasian notions of professional style will change at the Pentagon. That said, this law was created for a reason. Bush made CP SecState for a reason. CP could have easily led the Pentagon too.
Gen. (Ret.) is an honorable man but we should have learned our lesson in the prior waivers issued in last four years.
I don't care who picked the guy, I'm not in favor of bending these kinds of sensible rules.
deray Progress! Good!
GOD DAMN IT. There is a reason for that rule. Stop hiring exmilitary to civilian positions.
He's perfect for the job! Keep moving ahead, Congress!
So whats the point of the rule if we just wave it for not only this, but the last approved Secretary of Defense?
Get to work on them 2000$ checks promised in the first week
Who voted against the waiver?
There are others that are qualified, there’s a reason that rule exists.
he's done for!
And before all the MAGA people start bitching, a waiver was required for Mattis under Trump.
Why have the rule if we’re just gonna hand out waivers.?
(.) (.)
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