Senate Armed Services Committee Approves 'Mad Dog' Mattis as Pentagon Chief

The US Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) announced on Wednesday it approved retired Gen. James Mattis for the position US Secretary of Defense.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — SASC said that Mattis was approved as Pentagon chief on a 26-1 vote.

"The official nomination will be sent directly to Senate without referral to the committee," the Committee said.

Mattis is the first career military officer in nearly 70 years to require a special waiver from the US Congress so he can assume the position of defense secretary.

US law required that a military officer is retired at least seven years from service prior to assuming a position.

The Congress approved a special waiver last week because Mattis has not been retired for seven years.

 

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