The selection of the Biden Defense Secretary addressed these concerns directly at a hearing by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday afternoon, saying: “If confirmed, I will fulfill the Department of Defense mission, always with the aim of stopping the war and guarantee the security of our nation I will uphold the principle of civilian control of the armed forces, as intended. “
Austin, who retired in 2016, has sought out key House and Senate lawmakers who will have to agree to pass legislation to grant the exemption, something granted only twice before in history, including James Mattis to govern President Donald’s Pentagon Trump in 2017.
“I understand and respect the reservations that some of you have expressed about having another newly retired general in charge of the Department of Defense,” he said during the hearing. “The security and protection of our democracy requires competent civilian control of our armed forces, the subordination of military to civilian power.”
Austin continued: “I have spent my entire life committed to this principle. In war and peace, I have implemented the policies of elected and appointed civilians over me, leaders like Secretary (Leon) Panetta. I know that being a member of the President’s office – a political nominee – requires a different perspective and exclusive duties for a uniformed career. “
Another obstacle that can delay Austin’s confirmation process is that he will, in fact, have to win two votes: one from both chambers of Congress to grant the resignation and another from the Senate to confirm him for the post. The House is scheduled to vote on Thursday on the resignation.
During his hearing on Tuesday, Austin promised to fight to rid the Defense Department of “racists and extremists”.
“We also owe our people a work environment free from discrimination, hatred and harassment. If confirmed, I will fight hard to eradicate sexual assault and rid our ranks of racists and extremists.”
“The Department of Defense’s job is to keep the United States protected from our enemies,” said Austin. “But we cannot do that if some of these enemies are within our own ranks.”
Austin will no longer testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday, as the planned hearing “to discuss civilian control of the military” has been canceled in favor of a closed-door meeting with lawmakers, according to an aide the panel.
The reason for the change, the adviser told CNN on Tuesday, was that the House Armed Services Committee will not be formed for the new Congress in time.
“The committee cannot formally organize itself until the leadership of both the majority and the minority has nominated the full list of members. It has become clear that full membership of the committee will not be finalized before the hearing scheduled for Thursday to discuss the civilian control of the military with designated secretary Lloyd Austin, “said committee advisor Monica Matoush on Tuesday. “As such, we are still unable to convene our committee meeting or formally conduct the committee’s business as an audience. As soon as the members are appointed and the committee is organized, we will proceed.”
The closed meeting with House legislators may help expedite Austin’s appointment, but it also risks alienating those who wanted to hear him testify before voting on the resignation.
Austin told Congressman Adam Smith, a Washington state Democrat who is chairman of the House’s Armed Services Committee, who is willing to answer questions and testify publicly about the resignation to reassure lawmakers about his belief in civilian control.
Smith has consistently expressed support for Austin, but also said he would like to hear him testify.
CNN’s Michael Conte contributed to this report.