Congressional Hispanic Caucus Supports Congressional Waiver for Secretary-designate Austin’s Confirmation as Secretary of Defense
WASHINGTON — Today, January 20th, 2021, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) released the following statement after two-thirds of CHC Members voted to endorse H.R. 335 – Legal exception necessary to appoint Lloyd J. Austin III as President-elect Biden's Secretary of Defense:
"Congressional Hispanic Caucus members are encouraged to support granting Secretary of Defense designate Lloyd J. Austin III the legal waiver necessary for him to be confirmed as President-elect Joe Biden's Secretary of Defense. Secretary-designate Austin has been retired from the military for more than four years, but an exemption from Congress is necessary to become Secretary of Defense for anyone who has been separated from active-duty military service for fewer than seven years.
"While this policy is important in furthering the principle of civilian control of the military, Secretary-designate Austin has been cooperative with Congress throughout his designation process by offering testimony that speaks to his commitment and respect for civilian primacy in the Pentagon, his other Constitutional obligations, the continued defense of our nation and deterrence of our adversaries, and his intention to combat the spread of the extremism and white supremacism in the military that remains a threat to the Republic.
"Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, has introduced H.R. 335 to allow for a Congressional waiver for Secretary-designate Austin's legal confirmation process to be considered by Congress. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus support the passage of this bill and of Secretary-designate Austin's confirmation as Secretary of Defense".
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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.