Dems cool to GOP's Mattis strategy

Senate Democrats are signaling they’re not fans of how Republicans are hoping to expedite the confirmation of President-elect Trump’s defense secretary nominee, and say they want a full vetting process to consider retired Gen. James Mattis next year.

Republicans are looking to pass a short-term funding bill, known as a continuing resolution or CR, that would change Senate parliamentary rules to fast-track legislation that would allow a retired military officer to be considered as secretary of defense as long as they have been out of service for at least three years. Current law requires officers to be out for seven years, but the recently retired Mattis doesn’t qualify under current law.