Done deal!
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/james-mattis-defense-secretary-waiver-233611
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The House on Friday approved a waiver that would allow retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to serve as defense secretary, sending the measure to the White House.
The vote was 268-151. Only 36 Democrats supported the bill after Trump’s transition team blocked Mattis from testifying before the House Armed Services Committee Thursday, despite the retired four-star general sailing through his Senate confirmation hearing earlier in the day.
The House vote came one day after the Senate easily passed the waiver, 81-17.
Congress’ swift approval of the waiver — needed to exempt Mattis from a federal law requiring military officers to wait seven years before serving as Defense secretary — puts Mattis in line to be part of the first batch of President-elect Donald Trump’s picks to be confirmed by the Senate as early as Inauguration Day.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Friday that Obama would sign the bill, if it’s sent to him before he leaves office next Friday.
James Mattis is pictured. | Getty
Democrats’ role for Mattis: The anti-Trump
By Austin Wright and Jeremy Herb
“We can anticipate that if it did make it to the president’s desk, he would sign it,” Earnest said.
Congressional aides said it’s not yet clear whether the bill will go to Obama next week or wait for Trump to be sworn in.
The vote was 268-151. Only 36 Democrats supported the bill after Trump’s transition team blocked Mattis from testifying before the House Armed Services Committee Thursday, despite the retired four-star general sailing through his Senate confirmation hearing earlier in the day.
The House vote came one day after the Senate easily passed the waiver, 81-17.
Congress’ swift approval of the waiver — needed to exempt Mattis from a federal law requiring military officers to wait seven years before serving as Defense secretary — puts Mattis in line to be part of the first batch of President-elect Donald Trump’s picks to be confirmed by the Senate as early as Inauguration Day.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Friday that Obama would sign the bill, if it’s sent to him before he leaves office next Friday.
James Mattis is pictured. | Getty
Democrats’ role for Mattis: The anti-Trump
By Austin Wright and Jeremy Herb
“We can anticipate that if it did make it to the president’s desk, he would sign it,” Earnest said.
Congressional aides said it’s not yet clear whether the bill will go to Obama next week or wait for Trump to be sworn in.