House Speaker Paul Ryan is defending the decision to use the budget stopgap bill as a vehicle for legislation that would let the Senate quickly consider retired Gen. James Mattis as President-elect Trump’s secretary of defense.
House Republicans included language in the continuing resolution that allows Congress to fast-track legislation next year that would shorten the amount of time a member of the military would have to be a civilian, from seven to three years, before becoming secretary of defense. Appearing on CNBC, Ryan argued that Mattis is “exception worthy” and pushed for Democrats to support both the nomination and legislation needed to let him serve.
“A lot of us know Jim Mattis quite well. He is so revered. He is exception worthy to the waiver rule,” Ryan said. “That will help make sure that they can move on that nomination fairly quickly — so they can’t gum it up with the filibuster.”
Mattis left the military in May, 2013 after leaving his post as commander of U.S. Central Command. If he receives a waiver from Congress, he will be on the second individual to receive one after George C. Marshall in 1950 before taking over as secretary of defense.
The House speaker also spoke out in favor of 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney as a potential nominee to serve as secretary of state. Ryan was Romney’s vice presidential running mate in 2012.
“I’d love to see him as secretary of state. I don’t know what Donald’s going to do. I think he’s going to make his choice pretty soon,” Ryan said. “I think Mitt would be fantastic. He’s one of the most competent people I know.”
