The US Senate confirmed Joe Biden’s nominee, Lloyd Austin, to serve as defense secretary, making the retired army general the first African American to lead the Pentagon.
The final vote was 93 to 2, with only two Senate Republicans – Mike Lee from Utah and Josh Hawley from Missouri – opposing Austin’s nomination.
Austin said in a tweet that it was “an honor and privilege” to serve as secretary of defense, adding that he was “especially proud” of being the first African American to hold the position.
Austin, 67, will oversee the 1.3 million active men and women who make up the nation’s army. He is the second nominee from Biden’s office to be confirmed, after Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence, was confirmed on Wednesday and sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday.
Lloyd Austin
(@LloydAustin)I am immensely grateful for the service and sacrifices of those who broke barriers before me – and while I may be the first African-American Defense Secretary, I hope I will not be the last. pic.twitter.com/cT3fU6whmE
“In my opinion, there is no doubt that he is the right person for this job at the right time, leading the Department of Defense at this point in our nation’s history,” said Biden in announcing his Austin appointment for last month. He called Austin “a definition of duty, honor and country” and a leader “feared by our opponents, known and respected by our allies”.
Biden said Austin would help to renew America’s relationship with the allies, eroded by the Trump administration, and would guide the defense department to address threats ranging from potential future pandemics to climate emergencies and refugee crises.
Austin’s confirmation comes a day after the House and Senate approved a resignation to allow him to be confirmed, as he retired from the armed forces less than seven years ago. Retired Navy general Jim Mattis also received such a resignation to become Donald Trump’s defense secretary in 2017.
During Mattis’s confirmation hearing, many Democrats spoke of the military’s need for civilian control, including four current members of the Senate Armed Services Committee who opposed the granting of the exemption. Among them was Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a prominent Democrat, who also opposed Austin’s resignation.
Austin sought to dispel concerns about his recent service, promising to approach the role of “civilian leader” with “deep appreciation and reverence for the prevailing wisdom of civilian control of our military.”
The Senate finance committee also unanimously supported Janet Yellen’s appointment as Treasury secretary on Friday morning, establishing a final confirmation vote. Republican Senator John Cornyn said Yellen, the former president of the Federal Reserve, is likely to be confirmed later in the day.