The waiver required for Retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis to become the next Secretary of Defense was passed through the Senate on Thursday.
Mattis answered questions during his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday morning, hoping to influence legislators to grant him the waiver. Current laws deny military officers from taking cabinet posts until they have been retired for at least seven years.
Mattis led U.S. Central Command during the War on Terrorism before retiring in 2013.
Mattis waiver officially clears Senate, vote is 60 to 13 so far (all Dems). Among freshmen: Van Hollen votes no, Hassan & Harris yes
— Jeremy Herb (@jeremyherb) January 12, 2017