HOUSE VOTES

EXEMPTION FOR DEFENSE SECRETARY: The House has passed a bill (H.R. 335), sponsored by Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., to provide an exemption from the requirement that a person confirmed as Defense Secretary not have served as a military officer within the past 7 years. The exemption would open the way for recently retired general Lloyd Austin to be confirmed by the Senate. Smith said: “I have no concern whatsoever about Lloyd Austin upholding civilian control of the military.” An opponent, Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., said the proposed exemption had received minimal Congressional review and would put the standard of civilian control of the military “on life support.” The vote, on Jan. 21, was 326 yeas to 78 nays.

YEAS: Chellie Pingree, D-1st District

NAYS: Jared Golden, D-2nd District

SENATE VOTES

INTELLIGENCE DIRECTOR: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Avril Danica Haines to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Haines, a previous deputy director at the Central Intelligence Agency, was Deputy National Security Advisor for the Obama administration. A supporter, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said he hoped Haines would be part of a Biden administration cabinet “that will be more open with the public, respect the law, and work with the Congress.” The vote, on Jan. 20, was 84 yeas to 10 nays.

YEAS: Susan Collins, R-Maine; Angus King, I-Maine

EXEMPTION FOR DEFENSE SECRETARY: The Senate has passed a bill (H.R. 335), sponsored by Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., to provide an exemption from the requirement that a person confirmed as Defense Secretary not have served as a military officer within the past 7 years. The exemption would open the way for recently retired general Lloyd Austin to be confirmed by the Senate. An opponent, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, pointed to the same exemption being granted for recent Defense Secretary James Mattis, and the increased politicization of the military, as signs of the weakening of the principle of civilian control of the military. Collins said: “Congress must not simply acquiesce to that growing trend.” The vote, on Jan. 21, was 69 yeas to 27 nays.

NAYS: Collins

YEAS: King