[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 14 (Monday, January 25, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONFIRMATION OF LLOYD JAMES AUSTIN

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam President, I was proud to vote in support of 
Lloyd Austin to serve as our next Secretary of Defense. I cast my vote 
with confidence that he will capably lead the Department of Defense 
through this difficult period in our Nation's history.
  As a four-star general, Lloyd Austin was tasked with leading the 
drawdown of American troops from Iraq and helped bring 150,000 U.S. 
soldiers home. He demonstrated the logistical mastery that will be 
necessary to help lead the nationwide effort to vaccinate against 
COVID-19. Through his remarkable life and trailblazing career, he has 
gained the experience and perspective required of this office, and now, 
he has broken one more barrier as the first African-American Secretary 
of Defense in our Nation's history. I am confident he will ensure that 
our Armed Forces reflect and respect the diversity of our Nation and 
that everyone in our military upholds the oath they take to protect our 
Constitution.
  I have made no secret of my concerns about the troubling trend of 
Congress granting waivers to allow recently retired officers to serve 
as Secretary of Defense, and I voted against such a waiver for Lloyd 
Austin as I did when that question was previously put before the 
Congress. Nevertheless, I believe once Congress speaks on the issue of 
a waiver, each Senator must evaluate the nominee on his or her merits 
alone. By that measure, Lloyd Austin is superbly qualified. He has the 
confidence of the President and is the right person for this moment. I 
support his confirmation.

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