Kaine Statement on Nomination of Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on President-elect Biden’s historic decision to nominate retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense:

“As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have great respect for General Austin’s leadership of CENTCOM and his deep experience with military operations. I look forward to hearing about his plans to strengthen our national security.

“Regarding the legal barrier for this nomination, I intend to closely evaluate the implications for waiving the National Security Act requirement twice in just four years.”

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