House passes Austin waiver

The House has voted 326-78 to grant a waiver for retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin to serve as defense secretary.

The waiver is required by law because Austin has been retired from the military for fewer than seven years.

The Senate is expected to vote on the waiver this evening and confirm Austin.

A similar waiver was given to retired Marine Corps Gen. Jim Mattis when he became former President Trump's first defense secretary. Prior to that, the waiver has only been provided once in U.S. history -- to Army Gen. George Marshall in 1950.

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