US Senate confirms Gen (retd) Austin as country's 1st Black defence secy

January 23, 2021 09:26

The United State Senate has confirmed the nomination of General (retired) Lloyd Austin to serve as secretary of the defence department, making him the first ever African American to occupy the top Pentagon position.

The nomination was confirmed in an overwhelming 93-2 vote.

Soon he was sworn in by Tom Muir, acting director of Washington Headquarters Services. Thereafter, Austin received an intelligence briefing.

Vice President Kamala Harris would administer the ceremonial oath to Austin next week.

President Joe Biden thanked the senate for confirming Austin and working to get his cabinet in place.

"It's an honour and a privilege to serve as our country's 28th secretary of defence, and I'm especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position. Let's get to work," Austin tweeted.

A day earlier, the House of Representatives voted 326-78 to pass a waiver exempting Austin from the seven-year 'cooling off period' for retired generals taking over as defence secretary. The senate approved the waiver by 69-27 votes.

This is the third time that Congress has given such a waiver to a retired general. The previous one being of General (retired) James Matin who was appointed as defence secretary by former President Donald Trump in January 2017 and George Marshall in 1947.

Austin had retired as a four-star Army general in 2016.

"I am honoured to have this chance to serve again and to do so alongside you and your families. My wife, Charlene, and I know all too well the sacrifices you make to keep this country safe. That safety is job one, and I promise to work as hard as you do at it," Austin said in his message to the defence forces soon thereafter.

According to new Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby, the president called Austin in the afternoon, shortly after his arrival at the pentagon.

"The president congratulated the secretary on his swift confirmation and thanked the secretary for agreeing to serve the country again. Secretary Austin expressed his gratitude to the president for his trust and confidence and for his support during the confirmation process, Kirby said.

Later in the day, Austin spoke to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg over phone.

The call was his first to a foreign leader as the defence secretary, and reinforces the importance of the NATO alliance to the US, Kirby said. -- PTI

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