2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Waiving A Statutory Requirement Of 7 Years
Of Retirement And Allowing For The Confirmation Of Retired Army Gen.
Lloyd J. Austin III As Defense Secretary. In January 2021, Fitzpatrick
voted for the Defense Secretary waiver which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "waive a statutory requirement related to date
of retirement from military service for the first individual nominated
by the president and confirmed by the Senate as Defense secretary on or
after Jan. 20, 2021. Specifically, it would make eligible such an
individual who retired from active duty in the armed forces within seven
years of their appointment, but not within four years. It would thus
allow for the confirmation of President Joe Biden's Defense secretary
nominee, retired Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 326-78 and sent to the
Senate and President and ultimately became law. [House Vote 18,
1/21/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/21/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
335]
Retired Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III Would Become The Country's
First Black Defense Secretary To Lead The Pentagon. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "If confirmed by the Senate, Austin would
be the nation's first Black Defense secretary. 'Mr. Austin will be
the first Black person to lead the Pentagon, which is enormously
important,' said House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith on the
House floor, 'The military has a problem with diversity, and in
addition we have a problem with white supremacy in this country.
Austin is in a unique position to address these problems.'"
[Congressional Quarterly,
1/21/21]
Some Lawmakers Raised Concerns Over "Civilian Control Of The
Military" And Setting A Precarious Precedent By Granting Waivers To
Two Continuous Administrations. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The waiver has been a point of contention throughout
Austin's nomination process, as some lawmakers raised concerns about
civilian control of the military, and that granting it to two
administrations in a row would set a dangerous precedent that the
current law is somehow optional." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/21/21]