The Senate easily cleared a waiver Thursday afternoon allowing retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to serve as secretary of defense, teeing up similar action from the House as Democrats in the lower chamber threatened to protest the measure.
The legislation, approved 81-17, excuses Mattis from a requirement that members of the military be separated from the service for at least seven years before being eligible to run the Pentagon. The former commander of the U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday.
He was scheduled to do the same before a House panel later in the day, even though it has no role in the confirmation process. But the House Armed Services Committee canceled the hearing on Wednesday, angering Democrats and “disappointing” the Republican chairman, Mac Thornberry. The panel held its own vote on the waiver Thursday afternoon, clearing it 34-28 for consideration in front of the full chamber.
Politico has more:
