Senate Confirms Gen. Mattis As Secretary of Defense

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Republican-led Senate has voted to confirm James Mattis to be President Donald Trump’s defense secretary.
Senators cleared the retired Marine general’s nomination Friday.
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who challenged the idea of a former military leader in a civilian job, voted “no.” Republicans pushed for fast approval to ensure the post wouldn’t be empty even for a brief amount of time after Trump’s swearing-in.
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