[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 14 (Monday, January 25, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E66]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION AGAINST APPOINTMENT OF PERSONS AS 
   SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OF RELIEF FROM ACTIVE DUTY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BILL POSEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 21, 2021

  Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, through the National Security Act, Congress 
required that the Secretary of Defense be from civilian life and placed 
a limitation on the appointment of former military personnel to that 
position mandating that a nominee be retired from military service for 
ten years. In 2008, Congress shortened that period to seven years.
  I have several concerns which I would like to express and go on 
record in opposition to providing a waiver. First, I thank the General 
for his service to our nation in uniform. I have reservations about 
providing yet another waiver from the law intended to preserve civilian 
leadership in the role of Secretary of Defense. If confirmed as 
Secretary of Defense by the U.S. Senate, after fewer than five years 
from his last military assignment, General Lloyd Austin (Ret.) will be 
expected to uphold the principles of civilian control of the military.
  My hope is that General Austin's focus will be ensuring that our 
nation is prepared to meet head-on the threat posed by adversaries 
including China, Russia, and Iran. He should follow and focus on the 
bipartisan 2018 National Defense Strategy that stresses the need to 
strengthen our military for potential major conflict. Mr. Austin should 
work to preserve the strategic nuclear triad, protect and ensure 
American space superiority, and maintain Naval supremacy as 
cornerstones of our freedom.
  Serving as our nation's Secretary of Defense is an awesome 
responsibility and I await the U.S. Senate vetting General Austin as 
the U.S. Senate has the responsibility under the Constitution of 
reviewing Presidential nominees.

                          ____________________