US Senate confirms retired Gen Mattis as defence secretary
January 21, 2017  04:23
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The Senate confirmed President Donald Trump's first Cabinet member Friday, formally approving his defence secretary.

As the Senate voted on retired Gen James Mattis for defence secretary, he easily cleared the 50-vote majority threshold. New York Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was the first and so far only senator to vote against him.

The Senate was set to vote next on retired Gen John Kelly for homeland security secretary.

The Senate was not expected to consider Kansas Republican Mike Pompeo for CIA director until Monday, after at least three Democrats objected to his quick confirmation over concerns including surveillance, though a deal was possible to allow the vote to proceed Friday.
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