President Obama will sign off on legislation allowing retired Gen. James Mattis to serve as defense secretary despite him having only retired from the military in 2013, the White House said Friday.
Mattis’ appointment to the top Pentagon post will require that Congress waive an existing statute that prohibits retired service members from serving as defense secretary without having been out of the military for at least seven years.
The House is expected to pass the waiver on Friday, following its swift passage through the Senate a day prior. Mattis’ confirmation hearing was held Thursday, during which he testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that Obama will not stand in the way of Mattis’ appointment once Congress passes the legislation.
