Ruppersberger Issues Statement on Nomination of General Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense

Press Release

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a Defense Appropriator, tonight issued the following response following President-elect Joe Biden's nomination of retired four star General Lloyd Austin for Secretary of Defense:

"President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for our next Secretary of Defense, retired General Lloyd Austin, certainly checks all of the boxes on my list of expectations for this critical role. This isn't just on paper -- as a Defense Appropriator and former Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, I have firsthand experience of General Austin's abilities, including meeting with him on multiple occasions while in Iraq.

General Austin has served our country with distinction. As a former Combatant Commander and Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, serving more than four decades in our Armed Forces, General Austin is in tune with the threats facing our nation and what it will take to confront them. He will also be a tireless advocate for our military men and women. We need an experienced leader like General Austin to carry the Department of Defense forward, to advance and adapt the National Defense Strategy.

I recognize concerns regarding General Austin's nomination four years after his military retirement -- instead of the required seven. I understand the purpose of the Congressional waiver process -- which Secretary Mattis also required -- and encourage President-elect Biden to make General Austin available to Congress to alleviate any concerns. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, however, I have no doubt that General Austin will be an excellent Secretary of Defense."

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