Mace: Gen. Austin Will Serve America Well as Secretary of Defense

Washington - Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC-01) issued the following statement regarding her decision to vote in favor of granting Gen. Lloyd Austin a waiver to serve as Secretary of Defense:

“When drafting our Constitution, the Founders took great care to ensure our military is above politics, that its leaders were civilians. Congress prohibits newly retired military officers from serving as Secretary of Defense to keep this check in place.

“Congress however also gave itself the power to waive this ban for uniquely qualified leaders—a power lawmakers quickly employed when President Trump nominated Gen. James Mattis for the job. It’s only right we do the same for President Biden.

“General Lloyd Austin’s qualifications are impeccable. He's everything we could expect from someone looking to lead our armed forces. Therefore, I will be voting for this waiver.”

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