Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), chair of the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Defense Intelligence and Warfighter Support, voted in favor H.R. 335, a waiver to allow Secretary of Defense-designate Lloyd J. Austin III to serve as the United States’ first Black Secretary of Defense.

U.S. law requires retired military personnel to wait seven years before being eligible to serve as the Secretary of Defense unless a waiver is granted by Congress. Austin retired in 2016 and, therefore, needs a waiver to serve as Secretary of Defense.

“I proudly support granting a waiver for Mobile, Alabama native and retired Four-Star General Lloyd Austin to serve as first Black Secretary of Defense. General Austin has an exemplary 41-year career of service and his battle-proven leadership and independence demonstrate he is the right choice to lead the Pentagon during these difficult times,” Rep. Sewell said. “We face many challenges as a nation, not least among them a historic pandemic that has disproportionately impacted communities of color and an unprecedented rise of white supremacist and far right-wing domestic terrorist groups. I’m confident in General Austin’s commitment and ability to course-correct and secure our nation from threats at home and abroad.” 

Rep. Sewell also led a letter to her House colleagues today, urging them to support the waiver allowing General Austin to serve.