SASC said that Mattis was approved as Pentagon chief on a 26-1 vote.
"The official nomination will be sent directly to Senate without referral to the committee," the Committee said.
Mattis is the first career military officer in nearly 70 years to require a special waiver from the US Congress so he can assume the position of defense secretary. US law required that a military officer is retired at least seven years from service prior to assuming a position. The Congress approved a special waiver last week because Mattis has not been retired for seven years.
Senate Armed Services committee approves `Mad Dog` Mattis as Pentagon Chief
19 January 2017
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The US Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) announced on Wednesday it approved retired Gen. James Mattis for the position US Secretary of Defense.
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