Agency Report-The Senate on Friday confirmed President Biden’s Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a big bipartisan vote, marking the first time an African American will lead the Pentagon in U.S. history.
The vote was 93-2.
Austin is a former four-star Army general who served in the military for 41 years before retiring in 2016. He was the commander of the U.S. Central Command, where he helped lead the effort to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Biden built a close relationship with Austin during his vice presidency and said during a December news conference he tapped his friend because “there’s no question that he is the right person for this job at the right moment.”
Austin tweeted a picture of himself and Biden after his successful confirmation vote.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as our country’s 28th Secretary of Defense, and I’m especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position,” Austin wrote. “Let’s get to work.”
Austin enjoyed broad support. The only two “no” votes were GOP Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Mike Lee of Utah.
