Both chambers of Congress granted Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star general in the US Army, a waiver to serve as Secretary of Defense, a waiver to bypass the requirement of being out of the military seven years, clearing the way for him to become the first Black Secretary of Defense, the New York Times reports.
While some members of Congress voiced opposition to granting the waiver, Austin had no problem getting the majority of both chambers to get the waiver. Earlier Thursday, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved the nomination and the waiver. The full Senate than voted to approve the waiver and will consider the nomination shortly.
The waiver request bypassed the House Armed Services Committee and went straight to the floor of the House for a vote.
The appointment of the Secretary of Defense is a key position in any administration, as it signals the continuity of government and maintain US military readiness.