WASHINGTON: The former Army general Lloyd Austin made history when he wasconfirmed by the US Senate as America’s first Black defense secretary.
The development came a day after Congress handed over Austin a specialwaiver to hold the post, which is required for any defence secretary whohas been out of active-duty military service for less than seven years. TheSenate vote was 93 to 2.
The 67-year-old is the only African-American to have led US CentralCommand, the military’s marquee combat command, with responsibility forIraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria.
He retired in 2016 after 41 years in the military and is widely respectedacross the Army.
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“It’s an extraordinary, historic moment,” Senator Jack Reed, Democrat ofRhode Island and the chairman of the Armed Services Committee told *The NewYorkTimes.link*
