WASHINGTON –Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, today supported passage of legislation allowing retired Marine General James Mattis to be considered for appointment as the 26th Secretary of Defense.
Rep. Wittman spoke on the House floor to urge his colleagues to support the "one-time only exception" for General Mattis. His remarks can be seen by clicking the image below.
"This vote will provide a one-time only exception for General Mattis, a man of the utmost character."
"The fact that we are here to deliberate this issue only proves that the nomination and appointment process works. At the end of the day, we should not deny the best candidate to become Secretary of Defense. I urge my fellow colleagues to join me in voting in favor of an exception for an exceptional American, General James Mattis."
With both the House and Senate passing the waiver legislation, the Mattis nomination can proceed to a vote in the Senate.
Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.
