Defense Secretary Confirmation Hearing

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for General Lloyd Austin (Ret.) to serve as secretary of defense. Following witness statements by former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta (Obama administration, 2011-13) and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) in support of the general's confirmation, the nominee answered a range of questions, including on China and Russia as global threats, the Middle East, cybersecurity, modernization efforts, sexual assault in the military, and the coronavirus pandemic. General Austin also answered questions regarding the upholding of civilian leadership of the Pentagon, for which the Senate needs to approve a waiver allowing the retired general to serve as defense secretary since he has not been a private citizen for more than seven years. Previously, the general served as commander of United States Central Command (Obama administration, 2013-16).
The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for General Lloyd Austin (Ret.) to serve as secretary of defense. Following witness statements by former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta (Obama administration, 2011-13) and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) in support of the general’s confirmation, the nominee answered a range of questions, including on China and Russia as global threats, the Middle East, cybersecurity, modernization efforts, sexual assault in the military, and the coronavirus pandemic. General Austin also answered questions regarding the upholding of civilian leadership of the Pentagon, for which the Senate needs to approve a waiver allowing the retired general to serve as defense secretary since he has not been a private citizen for more than seven years. Previously, the general served as commander of United States Central Command (Obama administration, 2013-16).

Defense secretary confirmation hearing begins

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