U.S. Senate confirms Lloyd Austin as the nation's first Black defense secretary....By Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper in Ohio and in the Midwest
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Joe Biden's secretary of defense designee, the first Black man to be nominated to lead the Pentagon, was confirmed by the Democratically-dominated U.S. Senate by a vote of 93-2 on Friday, with Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Josh Hawley of Missouri the only two senators who voted no.
President Biden, who was inaugurated on Wednesday, has described retired four-star Army Gen. Floyd Austin as a leader and team player who easily gained the love and respect of troops, allies and enemies across the globe during his distinguished military career, and said the retired general is a dedicated husband and father who is well equipped to lead the Department of Defense.
"In my judgment, there's no question that he is the right person for this job at the right moment leading the Department of Defense at this moment in our nation's history," Biden said of his choice for defense secretary when he nominated him for the prestigious post.
The former vice president who served under former president Barack Obama, the nation's first Black president, Biden said Austin, 67, is "a man of great decency and a man of dignity."
Sources say Biden had no qualms offering him the job of heading the Department of Defense the nation's largest government agency, and commanding the troops around the world.
Austin won Biden's support over front-runner Michelle Flournoy, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy under President Bill Clinton and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy under President Obama
He needed a congressional waiver to be confirmed because he has not been out of the military for the required seven years.
That waiver was approved by the Senate before the confirmation vote was taken on Friday
Before CENTCOM, Austin served as the 33rd vice chief of staff of the United States Army from January 2012, to March 2016.
He was also the last commanding general of United States Forces – Iraq, Operation New Dawn, which ended on December 18, 2011, and then Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army.
He retired from the Army in April 2016.
The retired general's defense secretary nomination to lead the Department of Defense came after increasing pressure from Black leaders, including congressional Democrats and CBC members like Rep James Clyburn of South Carolina, also the majority whip.
They said Blacks should get top level Cabinet positions as Whites traditionally get at the White House, including lucrative secretary posts.
Biden has said that he expects Black leaders to speak out on issues of public concern pertinent to the Black community.
"Their job is to push me," Biden told reporters. "That's their job."
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