US Senate confirms Austin as first Black chief of Pentagon
  • WORLD

  • 10:01 23 January 2021

US Senate confirms Austin as first Black chief of Pentagon

The US Senate has confirmed retired general Lloyd Austin as secretary of defence, the second cabinet nominee of new President Joe Biden to gain approval, and the first African American to lead the Pentagon, ONA reports.

Austin gained overwhelming support from both Biden's Democrats and opposition Republicans on Friday, despite having required a special congressional waiver because he was a recently retired military officer being placed in a job reserved for civilians.

As voting continued earlier today, the vote was an overwhelming 93 to 2 in the 100-member chamber, far more than the simple majority needed.

ONA

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