SASC Approves Mattis Nomination to Be Secretary of Defense

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted 26-1 to recommend that the Senate give its advice and consent to the nomination of James Mattis to be Secretary of Defense when it is received by the Senate from the President. As a result of the action taken by the committee, General Mattis’s official nomination will be sent directly to the Senate without referral to the committee. 

Background: The Senate Armed Services Committee has previously taken action on a prospective nomination from an incoming president. Prior to the inauguration of President George W. Bush, the committee favorably reported the nomination of Donald Rumsfeld to be Secretary of Defense to the Senate on January 19, 2001. 

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