WE MAY HAVE A SECDEF TODAY: The full Senate is set to vote today on the nomination of Lloyd Austin to be defense secretary, and all signs point to an easy confirmation for the former four-star Army general, who could be on the job at the Pentagon by the end of the day.

In back-to-back votes yesterday, the House and Senate both passed legislation granting Austin a waiver from the statutory requirement that retired officers wait seven years before qualifying to lead the Defense Department. Austin hung up his uniform four years ago.