Retired four-star Army Gen. Lloyd Austin was confirmed Friday morning as Secretary of Defense. He becomes the first Black person to lead the Pentagon. When Biden nominated him, he said: “He’s been breaking down barriers and blazing a trail forward in this nation for many years now for more than 40 years. And he has a long way to go. He’s gonna do it again… “
Austin’s nomination was approved in a 93-2 blowout despite concerns among Democrats and Republicans about appointing another recently retired general to lead the Defense Department.
The quick confirmation vote comes amid a push on Capitol Hill to get President Joe Biden’s national security team on the job as quickly as possible — Austin is the second member of Biden’s Cabinet to be confirmed.
During his confirmation hear, Austin said the pandemic is the most urgent threat facing the United States right now (watch above).
It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as our country’s 28th Secretary of Defense, and I’m especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position. Let’s get to work. pic.twitter.com/qPAzVRxz9L
— Lloyd Austin (@LloydAustin) January 22, 2021