House hearing for Austin slated for Jan. 21

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA) said today he intends to hold a hearing Jan. 21 with retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, President-elect Biden's nominee for defense secretary.

"Following our extensive conversation today, I am reassured that Secretary-designate Austin shares my commitment to civilian control of the military and will do what it takes to uphold this cherished principle once confirmed by the Senate," Smith said in a statement. "In order to pave the way for Secretary-designate Austin's historic nomination, subject to the organization of the House Armed Services Committee, I intend to convene a public hearing before the full committee on Thursday, January 21, so that members of our committee and the American people can hear directly from Secretary-designate Austin regarding civilian control of the military."

If confirmed, Austin will be the first black U.S. defense secretary.

Meanwhile, Austin is scheduled to have a nomination hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee Jan. 19. Though the Senate is the body that must confirm Austin, he requires a waiver from the House and Senate to serve as defense secretary as he has been retired from the military for fewer than seven years.

The same waiver was approved for retired Marine Corps Gen. Jim Mattis to become defense secretary in 2017, the first time in nearly 70 years.

Smith said he supports Austin's nomination, though the selection initially "gave me pause."

"Civilian control of our military is an important principle in our Constitution and is not one I take lightly," he said.