Austin is on the verge of making history. The Senate is expected to confirm retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin as America’s first-ever Black defense secretary. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is speaking presently ahead of a full vote in the Senate a little bit later. One important line from McConnell’s mouth today: I will vote to confirm Austin.
Both the House and Senate on Thursday approved the waiver Austin needed to hold the SecDef job since it’s been less than seven years since Austin last wore his Army uniform. “Both votes were overwhelming and bipartisan,” NPR reported shortly afterward.