Panel votes waiver for James Mattis to serve as defense chief

That testimony was expected to be part of a busy Thursday for the native Washingtonian who also is scheduled to appear Thursday morning before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The waiver would let Mattis bypass a law requiring Defense secretaries to be out of uniform for seven years, which is in place to maintain the American principle of civilian leadership of the military. “What I think we should do is say that’s unacceptable”.

Mattis also refused to be pinned down when asked by Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, if he supports Trump’s call to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The retired Marine Corps four-star general had agreed to testify Thursday before the House Armed Services Committee, even though that chamber doesn’t have a role in confirming presidential nominees.

The 66-year-old Marine was hailed as “one of the finest military officers of his generation and an extraordinary leader who inspires a rare and special admiration of his troops” in a statement after his nomination by Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain of Arizona.

(11:55): Mattis addressed USA power and history, anecdotally adding, “The other power that we’ve used less in recent years, last 20 years maybe, is the power of inspiration”.

The questions were raised by women senators, and while Mattis was careful not to denigrate women or LGBTQ soldiers, he also declined to repudiate a string of his past comments read to him by Sen.

Mattis went on to argue that Russian Federation is trying to “break” North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and that the United States needs to build up military power in Eastern Europe to reassure North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members in the area.

The Senate approved the measure by a vote of 81-17 – but it was far closer in the House committee, 34-28.

“Frankly, senator, I’ve never cared much about two consenting adults and who they go to bed with”, Mattis said when Gillibrand pressed further.

Prompted to answer the question, he said: “My concern is on the readiness on the force to fight and to make certain it’s at the top of its game… that’s my obligation as I look as this job”.

She cited a 2015 speech by Mattis in which he said it is not whether women possess the necessary strength and agility to serve in combat, but rather “mixing Eros” – which he defined as military personnel mixing “affection for one another that could be manifested sexually”.

Congress has only once before granted an exception for a recently retired military member to serve as secretary of defense, for Gen. George Marshall in 1950. Kirsten Gillibrand of NY, who supports opening all combat positions in the military to women, gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender troops.