Lloyd Austin on the way to the US Department of Defense
The US House of Representatives, approved by a majority of votes, to issue special approval to nominate a candidate for the position of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for this position in the new US administration.
The Senate Armed Services Committee voted to pass approval as well.
Austin needs this approval to take over as defense minister, because the necessary period has not passed since he left the military service.
But he is expected to get it easily, as the Democrats control both houses of Congress.
It is expected that the Senate will vote in its entirety on the nomination of Austin as the new Minister of Defense.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has expressed confidence in agreeing to appoint Austin to the post.
If approved, Lloyd Austin will be the first African American defense secretary.
