Former General Lloyd Austin Confirmed As Biden’s Defense Secretary | Biden administration

The US Senate has confirmed Joe Biden’s candidate Lloyd Austin for Secretary of Defense, making the retired Army General the first African American to lead the Pentagon.

The final vote was 93-2, with just two Senate Republicans – Mike Lee of Utah and Josh Hawley of Missouri – opposing Austin’s nomination.

Austin said in a tweet that it was “an honor and a privilege” to serve as Secretary of Defense, adding that he was “especially proud” to be the first African American to hold the post.

Austin, 67, will oversee the 1.3 million active-duty men and women who make up the country’s military. He is the second of Biden’s cabinet nominees to be confirmed, after Avril Haines, director of national intelligence, was confirmed Wednesday and sworn in on Thursday by Vice President Kamala Harris.

I am extremely grateful for the service and sacrifices of those who broke barriers before me – and while I may be the first African-American Secretary of Defense, I hope I won’t be the last. pic.twitter.com/cT3fU6whmE

– Lloyd Austin (@LloydAustin) January 12, 2021

“In my opinion, there is no doubt that he is the right person for this position at the right time, leading the Department of Defense at this time in our country’s history,” Biden said in announcing his appointment as ‘Austin for the role last. month. He called Austin the “definition of duty, honor and homeland” and a leader “feared by our adversaries, known and respected by our allies.”

Biden said Austin will help renew America’s relationship with its allies, shredded by the Trump administration, and guide the Defense Department to deal with threats ranging from potential future pandemics to the climate emergency. through refugee crises.

Austin’s confirmation comes a day after the House and Senate passed a waiver to allow him to be confirmed, as he retired from the military less than seven years ago. Retired Naval General Jim Mattis also got such a waiver to become Donald Trump’s defense secretary in 2017.

During Mattis’ confirmation hearing, many Democrats spoke about the need for civilian oversight of the military, including four current members of the Senate Armed Services Committee who opposed the grant of the exemption. Among them was Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent Democrat, who also opposed a waiver for Austin.

Austin sought to allay concerns about his recent service, vowing to approach the role of “civilian leader” with “a deep appreciation and respect for the prevailing wisdom of civilian control over our military.”

The Senate finance committee also unanimously backed Janet Yellen’s appointment as Treasury secretary on Friday morning, setting up a final confirmation vote. Republican Senator John Cornyn said Yellen, the former Federal Reserve chairman, would likely be confirmed later today.