Joe Biden: ‘I Fully Understand and Respect’ Need for Waiver for Gen. Austin

‘Given the urgent threat and challenges of our nation’s forces, he should be confirmed swiftly’

EXCERPT:

BIDEN: "Lloyd Austin retired from the military service more than four years ago, but the law states that an officer must have left the service seven years before becoming secretary of defense. There’s a good reason for this law that I fully understand and respect, and I would not be asking for this exception if I did not believe this moment in our history didn’t call for it. It does call for it. And if I didn’t have the faith I have in Lloyd Austin to ask for it. I believe in the importance of civilian control of the military. So does the Secretary-Designee Austin.”

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