Biden’s secretary of defense addressed the problems directly during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday afternoon, saying: ‘If confirmed, I will carry out the Department of Defense’s mission, always with the aim of waging war. to deter and ensure the security of our country, and I will uphold the principle of civilian control of the army as intended. ‘
Austin, who retired in 2016, is reaching out to top House and Senate lawmakers who will have to agree to pass legislation to grant the waiver, something that has only been granted twice before in history, including for James Mattis to run President Donald Trump’s Pentagon in 2017. .
“I understand and respect the reservations some of you have expressed about the fact that you are another general who recently retired as head of the Department of Defense,” he said during the hearing. “The security and safety of our democracy requires capable civilian control of our armed forces, the submission of military power to civilians.”
Austin added: ‘I have devoted my whole life to this principle. In war and in peace, I have implemented the policies of citizens who have been elected and appointed, leaders such as Secretary (Leon) Panetta. I know that being a member of the presidency – a political nomination – requires a different perspective and unique duties than a career in uniform. ‘
Another obstacle that could delay the confirmation process for Austin is that he will in fact have to win two votes: one from both chambers of Congress to grant the pardon, and another from the Senate around him for the post. to confirm. The House will vote on the pardon on Thursday.
During his trial on Tuesday, Austin vowed to fight to free the Department of Defense from ‘racists and extremists’.
“We also owe a work environment to our people that is free from discrimination, hatred and harassment. If confirmed, I will fight hard to eliminate sexual assault and free our ranks from racists and extremists.”
“The Department of Defense’s job is to protect America from our enemies,” Austin said. “But we can not do that if some of the enemies lie within our own ranks.”
Austin will no longer testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday because the planned hearing “to discuss civilian control of the military” has been canceled in favor of a closed-door meeting with lawmakers, according to a panel.
The reason for the change, the assistant told CNN on Tuesday, was that the Armed Services Committee would not be formed in time for the new Congress.
“The committee can not formally organize until the leadership of both the majority and minority has appointed the full list of members. It has become clear that the full membership of the committee will not be finalized before Thursday’s scheduled hearing for the civilian control of to discuss the Army with the designated secretary. Lloyd Austin, “Committee Assistant Monica Matoush said Tuesday.” As such, we are unable to convene our committee organization meeting or formally conduct matters such as a hearing. Once members have been nominated and the committee has been organized, we will move on. “
The closed-door meeting with lawmakers from the House could help speed up Austin’s nomination, but could also alienate those who want to hear him testify before voting on the waiver.
Austin told Rep. Adam Smith, a Democrat in Washington who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, said he was prepared to answer questions and testify publicly about the pardon to reassure lawmakers about his belief in civilian governance .
Smith has consistently expressed support for Austin, but also said he would like to hear how he testifies.
CNN’s Michael Conte contributed to this report.