Mike Lee is just one of two senators who opposed the first black secretary of defense

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As the Senate voted by an overwhelming majority on Friday at 93-2 to confirm that Lloyd Austin – a retired four-star Army General – would become the very first black Secretary of Defense, Utah Senator Mike Lee was one of the two who opposed it. And he offered a seemingly contradictory explanation for why.

Lee was also among the senators on the losing side in a 69-27 vote Thursday to give Austin a special waiver to allow him to serve as Secretary of Defense without first waiting for a normally required period of 7 years after active military service.

Conn Carroll, spokesperson for Lee, said the senator “believes civilian control of the military is best served by the existing rule requiring a seven-year gap between active service and the post of secretary of defense. “

He added: “Other senators may have voted in favor of lifting this rule for General Austin, but Senator Lee believes it should be applied uniformly.”

However, four years ago Lee voted for a necessary waiver – and later to confirm – President Donald Trump’s first defense secretary, former four-star Navy General James Mattis. In 2017, Mattis was confirmed on a 98-1 vote, having won the necessary waiver on an 81-17 Senate vote.

While the House does not vote on Cabinet appointments by a president, it voted Thursday on the waiver for Austin – and passed it 326-78.

Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, a former Air Force pilot, was among the minority who voted against the waiver. Representatives John Curtis, Burgess Owens and Blake Moore, all of R-Utah, voted in favor. Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, also voted for Austin’s waiver and confirmation.

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