Lloyd Austin Confirmed by Senate, Becomes First Black Defense Secretary

Lloyd Austin Confirmed by Senate, Becomes First Black Defense Secretary

Lloyd Austin Confirmed by Senate, , Becomes First Black Defense Secretary.

Austin is the second of President Joe Biden's cabinet nominees to be confirmed by the Senate.

The retired four-star general's appointment was confirmed by a vote of 93-2.

Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Mike Lee (R-UT) were the only two votes against his nomination.

Austin was also the first Black general assigned to command a division of the U.S. Army during combat.

He acted as commanding general of U.S. forces in Iraq.

Austin's confirmation to President Biden's cabinet required a waiver passed by the House of Representatives ... ... that allows him to serve in the role despite having been retired from military service for less than seven years.

.

The top Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jim Inhofe, stated he could not "think of a better person to take the helm than General Austin."